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WEBSIP''  N.Y   14.^60 

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THE   LIFE, 


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MILITARY  AKD  CIVIC  SERVICES 


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LIEUT.-GEN.  WINFIELD  SCOTT. 


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COMPLETE  UP  rO  THE  PRESENT  PERipD.      ,^,,^  ^v 


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BY  O.  J.  VICTOR. 
AuTHon  OF  LrvES  of  "  Garibaldi,"  "Anthony  Watnb,"  Etc. 


BEADLE  AO  COMPANY, 

NEW   YORK:   141   WILLIAM   STREET. 

LONDON:  44  PATERNOSTER  ROW        - 


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Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  In  the  year  1861,  by 
BEADLE  AND   COMPANY, 
In  the  Clerk'a  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  tlie    ; 
Southern  District  of  New  Yoric. 


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INTRODUCTOBY. 


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No  commander  of  modem  times — ^Napoleon  and  Welling- 
ton excepted — has  excited  more  attention  than  Wiufield 
Scott.  From  his  first  appearance  on  the  field,  in  the  War  of 
1812,  up  to  the  present  moment,  he  has  played  an  importanf 
part  in  our  public  affairs,  civil  and  military.  He  has,  for  many 
yeb'.rs,  been  the  commanding  head  of  our  army  establishment, 
ant'i,  as  such,  has  won  the  entire  confidence  of  a  spirited  but 
exacting  nation  by  the  splendor  of  his  military  genius  and  his 
virtues  of  head  and  heart.  From  May,  1808,  up  to  the  present 
moment  he  has  been  in  constant  service — a  term  scarcely  par- 
alleled for  length  of  time,  certainly  not  exceeded  in  the  import- 
ance of  its  varied  and  momentous  trusts.  He  has  brought  glory 
to  American  arms,  peace  to  our  firesides,  skill  and  efficiency  to 
the  entire  military  establishment:  he  has  negotiated  treaties, 
enforced  obedience  to  the  laws,  arbitrated  and  adjusted  na- 
tional differences,  and  contributed  immensely  to  the  prestige  for 
power  and  resources  which  our  "republican  experiment"  has 
won  in  the  eyes  of  the  civilized  world:  he  has  largely  con- 
tributed to  the  success  of  our  international  polity  by  his  pro- 
found knowledge  of  international  law,  the  clearness  of  his 
judgment,  the  decision  of  hig^action:  he  has  been  the  recipient 
of  public  ovations  and  honors  awarded  only  to  the  truly  great 
men  of  earth.  It  would  be  remarkable,  therefore,  if,  as  his  age 
increases  and  his  life  approaches  to  its  close,  his  countrymen 
did  not  take  the  deepest  interest  in  the  record  of  his  past,  as 
well  as  bestow  the  most  absorbing  attention  upon  those  future 
services  which  he  may  be  spared  to  render. 

The  data  for  a  correct  record  is  not  wanting.    The  general 


6 


raTRODDCTORT. 


history  of  the  countiy  for  the  past  fifty  years — the  history  of 
special  campaigns,  and  services — Armstrong's  Notices  of  the 
War  of  1812— the  well-written  Biography,  by  Edward  D. 
Mansfield— the  same  author's  History  of  the  Mexican  War — 
Brantz  Mayer's  work  on  the  same  theme— Colonel  Ripley's 
History— Lieutenant  Smith's  Memoirs — Scott's  own  Corres- 
pondence and  Reports — the  American  State  Papers— all  supply 
material  for  a  thoroughly  satisfactory  biography.  The  aim  will 
be  to  tell  the  story  in  comprehensive  form,  of  the  entire  life 
and  services  of  the  illustrious  subject,  with  liiipartisan  spirit 
and  unbiased  judgment — to  produce  such  a  volume  as  will 
commend  itself  to  all  classes  for  its  authenticity,  thoroughness 
and  general  interest  of  narrative. 


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CONTENTS. 


C  JI  A  P  T  E  R  I . 
Birth — Earljr  Life  nntl  Education — Studies  Law,  and    practices— The 
War  Spirit— Scott  Captain  of  Lijrht  Artillery — Detailed  to  Louisiana 
— Trouble  with  Wilkinson,  and  Court-Martial,      ....    9 

CHAPTER  II. 

The  Niagara  Campaign  —  Commissioned  Lieutenant-Colonel— Com- 
mands at  Black  Rock — Seizure  of  the  two  Brigs — Movement  on 
Queenstown — Scott  enlists— Battia  of  Queenstown  Heights — Its 
Honors  and  Dishonors— Scott  a  Prisoner — Losses,    -        -        -    13 

CHAPTER   III. 

A  Prisoner — Attacked  by  the  two  SavagevS— The  Escape — Burial  of 
General  Brock — The  Irish  Prisoners  seized  for  High  Treason — 
Scott's  fearless  Protest — Is  exchanged — Lays  before  Government 
the  Case  of  the  Prisoners— Prompt  retaliatory  Action — Incidents,  20 

CHAPTER   IV. 

The  Campaign  of  1813 — Aid  to  General  Dearborn — Taking  of  Fort 
George — The  Summer  Service — Expedition  against  York — Plan  to 
seize  Kingston  and  Montreal — Departure  of  the  Army — Scott  remains 
in  Fort  George — Enemy's  Abandonment  of  "the  Peninsula"— 
Scott's  March  to  Sackett's  Harbor — Unpleasant  Circumstances 
attending  it — Joins  the  Army  singly — Brilliant  Services,    -        -    25 

CHAPTER   V. 

Commissioned  Brigadier-General — Forms  a  Camp  of  Instruction  at 
Buffalo— Its  Results — The  Campaign  opened — Capture  of  Fort  Erie 
— Scott's  Brigade  drives  the  Marquis  of  Tweedale  back  upon  the 
Chippewa — Battle  of  Chippewa, 32 

CHAPTER    VI. 

The  Battle  of  Niagara  (commonly  called  the  Battle  of  Lundy's  Lane) — 
Its  remarkable  Nature — Extraordinary  Services  of  all  engaged — 
Scott's  Brigade  almost  annihilated— Scott  wounded  twice— Is  com- 
pelled to  retire  from  the  Campaign, 38 

CHAPTER   VII. 

[Gallant  Defense  of  Fort  Erie — Scott  en  route  for  Philadelphia— Inter- 
esting Incidents  by  the  Way — Is  made  M.  A.  at  Princeton — Takes 
Command  of  Troops  for  Defense  at  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore — In 
Charge  of  the  10th  Military  District — Plans  the  Campaign  for  1815 
— Is  offered  the  Secretaryship  of  War — Goes  to  Europe — Return — 
Gold  Medal  from  Congress— Swords  from  Virginia  and  New  York,  48 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
[n  Command  of  the  Eastern  Department — The  Jackson  Correspond- 
ence— Writes  his  Military  Institutes — Presides  at  Boards  called  to 
propose  and  adjust  the  Tactics  of  the  Army  and  Militia — Advocates 
Temperance — The  Controversy  of  the  Rights  of  Brevet  Rank,  -    53 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Phe  Black  Hawk  War — Awful  Devastations  of  the  Cholera — Scott's 
Kindness  as  a  Nurse — Gathering  of  Indians  at  Rock  Island — Treaty 
— Cass'  Letter  of  Thanks  to  Scott — Return  to  New  York — Ordered  by 
Jackson  to  the  South — History  of  the  Nullification  Movement  in 
South  Carolina — Scott  in  Command  at  Charleston,  -       -       -    56 


I 


▼su 


OOSTENTS. 


CHAPTER   X. 

The  Florida  War- Indian  and  Negro  Outrages— Scott  takes  Command 
against  them— March  of  the  Army  to  Wythlacoochee— Scouting 
Parties  and  their  ill  Success— The  Creeks  in  Arms— Scott  suppresses 
them— Court  of  Inquiry— Scott's  Course  sustained,  .        .        ^i 

CHAPTER   XI. 

The  "Patriot"  War— Scott's  Instrumentality  in  its  Suppression— Order- 
ed  to  remove  the  Cherokees— Remarkable  Discharge  of  Duty — Again 
ordered  to  the  Northern  Frontier— His  Success- The  Maine  Bound- 
ary Dispute— Scott  empowered  to  Act— His  peaceful  Settlement  of 

the  Affair, 66 

CHAPTER   XII. 

The  Test  of  true  Greatness- Scott's  private  Character— His  Position 
before  the  People  as  a  Candidate  for  the  Presidency — Views  on  Pub- 
lic Questions— Views  on  Slavery- Opposes  the  Admission  of  Texas,72 

CHAPTER   XIII. 

The  Mexican  War— Eraeute  between  Scott  and  Polk— Is  finally  ordered 
to  Mexico— Design  to  supersede  Scott— It  is  frustrated— Scott  at 

the  Rio  Grande, 76 

CHAPTER   XIV. 

Siege  of  Vera  Crut— Awful  Destruction  of  Life  and  Property— City  and 
Castle  surrender— March  to  the  Interior— Battle  or  Cerro  Gordo— 
Remarkable  Bravery  of  the  American  Troops— Santa  Anna's  Defeat 
— The  Pursuit  to  Jalapa — Jalapa  occupied— The  City  and  strong  Cas- 
tle of  Perote  taken — Advance  upon  Puebla — Army  reduced  to  five 
thousand  Men— Head-quarters  at  Puebla, 79 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Negotiations — ^Their  Failure— March  from  Puebl« — Arrival  at  the  Lakes 
— The  Reconnoisance- March  around  the  Lake,         -       -       -85 

CHAPTER  XVL 
March  on  Contreras — ^Field  of  Lava — The  Preliminary  Assault — Its 
ill  Success — Midnight  March — Assault  and  Victory — Pursuit — As- 
sault upon  San  Antonio — Gathering  of  the  Forces  at  Cherubusco — 
Battle  of  the  Bridge— The  Church  and  the  open  Field— The  final 
Victory— Night  on  the  Field  of  Battle, 90 

CHAPTER   XVII. 
The  Battles  of  Molino  Del  Rey  and  the  Casa  de  Mata— Awful  Carnage 
— Brilliant  Victory — Scott's  Strategy, 95 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
The  Strategy — Its  Success — Chapultepec — The  Batteries  opened  on  It 
— False  Movements  of  the  Troops — Sudden  Desceht  on  the  Hill — 
The  Assault — The  Victory — The  Pursuit — Quitman  in  the  City,  101 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Entrance  to  the  Capital — Its  Occupation — Quitman  Governor — Preser- 
vation of  Order — Efforts  to  secure  a  Treaty — Mr.  Trist  recalled — 
Tarries  to  consummate  the  Negotiations— Scott    suspended  from 
Command — Returns  Home — Honors  bestowed  upon  him,        •    105 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Founds  Army  Asylums — Is  nominated  by  the  Whig  National  State 
Oonvention    ^  its  Candidate  for  the  Presidency— The  Campaign's 

-  Result — Is  made  Lieutenant-General— Goes  to  Vancouver's  Island 
to  settle  the  Boundary  Difficulty — His  Position  in  the  Secession 
Revolution — The  Country's  Hope, 114 


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National  State 
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THE    LIFE   OF,  /,,;/'' 


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„.,,*  .J .  ■ 


-,<;m.   OS,  , 


A>*«:  .^i  Vi'A->  .■.«'>•    w        CHAPTER      I. 


;t: 


BIRTH — EARLY  LtFB  AND  BDUOATION— STUDIES  LAW,  AWD  PRACTICES— 
STATE  or  THE  COUNTRY  IN  1807-8— THE  WAR  SPIRIT — SCOTT  CAPTAIN  O? 
LIGHT  ARTILLERY — DETAILED  TO  LOUISIANA — THE  TROUBLE  WITH  QEK- 
ERAL  WILKINSON,  AND  COURT-MARTIAL — ITS  GOOD  RESULTS. 

VinGiNiA,  "  Mother  of  Presidents,'*  is  also  mother  of  many 
a  civilian  and  commander  distinguished  in  the  history  of  the 
United  States.  One  of  hier  most  illustrious  sons  is  Winfield 
Scott,  born  near  Petersburg,  June  18th,  1786.  His  father, 
William  Scott,  descended  of  Scotch  parentage  on  the  male 
side,  married  Ann  Mason,  a  lady  of  well  known  family,  haying 
by  her  two  sons  and  several  daughters.  The  elder  son  was 
James ;  the  younger,  Winfield.  The  father  died  in  1791,  leav- 
ing the  mother  in  possession  of  a  good  ei^tate.  Ann  Mason 
was  a  mother  to  rear  noble  sons,  and  lived  long  enough  to 
give  cast  to  the  character  of  her  children.  She  died  in  1803. 
Winfield,  though  but  seventeen  years  of  age  at  that  mihappy 
event,  was  much  of  a  man  in  his  judgment  and  general 
deportment,  owing  to  the  admirable  training  of  his  parent, 
whom  he  loved  deeply.  He  was  spirited,  ambitious,  resolute, 
yet  full  of  kindness,  love  and  generosity.  All  admired  him 
for  his  good  qualities,  while  the  discriminating  prophesied 
fair  things  for  his  future. 

His  early  education  had  been  prosecuted  at  home  with  a 
view  to  his  ultimately  entering  the  legal  profession.  After 
the  decease  of  Mrs.  Scott,  he  spent  one  year  at  Richmond, 
under  the  care  of  Dr.  Ogilvie,  of  well  known  fame  in  that 
city.  Prom  thence  he  went  to  Willianf  and  Mary  College, 
where  he  remained  for  some  time—making  a  special  study  of 


^^^k.' 


^'    !l 


10 


THE   LIFE   OP   WINPIELD   SCOTT. 


1 


law.  Leaving  college,  he  entered  the  law  oflGlce  of  David 
Robertson  *  Richmond,  a  most  valued  preceptor,  who  had,  at 
an  earlier  day,  acted  as  tutor  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Mason.  Ho 
took  great  pains  with  his  pupil,  and,  being  a  learned  man, 
succeeded  in  giving  to  Winfield's  mind  a  store  of  rare  attain- 
ments, not  only  in  law  but  in  history,  economy  and  politics. 
Much  of  Scott's  after  proficiency  in  the  mastery  of  international 
^  law  and  jurisprudence  came  of  the  method  of  his  Scotch 
preceptor. 

Admitted  to  practice  in  1806,  Scott  "rode  the  circuit"  for 
two  terms,  in  the  Petersburg  district — spending  all  the  inter- 
vals in  the  oflQce  of  Benjamin  W.  Leigh,  a  leading  and 
influential  lawyer,  from  whom  he  derived  great  benefits  of 
advice  and  instruction.  The  prospect  for  advancement  in  his 
profession  induced  the  young  lawyer,  however,  to  give  up 
his  Virginia  residence  for  one  in  South  Carolina — to  which 
State  he  emigrated  in  the  fall  of  1807,  designing  to  open  an 
ofiice  in  Charleston.  One  year's  resic  jnce  in  the  State,  how- 
ever, was  required  by  statute  regulation  before  a  permit  for 
practice  could  be  granted.  To  obviate  this  loss  of  precious 
time  a  journey  was  made  to  Columbia,  where  the  legislature 
was  then  in  session.  A  special  exemption  was  asked  for, 
and  a  bill  to  that  efibct  was  introduced,  but  failed,  for 
want  of  time,  in  the  Upper  House.  This  disappointment, 
without  doubt,  gave  Winfield  Scott  to  his  country.  Upon 
such  small  events  do  great  results  sometimes  hang.  Failing 
to  procure  the  necessary  exemption,  he  returned  to  Virgiula, 
where  he  soon  was  hurried,  by  his  patriotic  ardor,  ir  io  the 
service  of  the  United  States,  then  on  the  brink  of  a  war  with 
foreign  powers. 

Both  England  and  France  committed  such  outrages  on  the 
commerce  of  this  country,  during  the  first  decade  of  this 
century,  as  to  raise  up  a  powerful  spirit  of  resistance,  particu- 
larly along  the  seaboard.  War  seemed  the  only  remedy  for 
the  aggravated  evils  arising  from  the  refusal  of  the  powers 
named  to  recognize  the  rights  and  the  claims  of  the  United 
States  to  the  status  of  a  first-class  power.     In  view  of  this 

♦  Better  known  ns  th^  reporter  of  the  entire  proceedings  of  the  arraign- 
ment and  trial  ol"  Aarou  Burr,  at  Richmond— one  of  ths  most  celebrated 
trials  ever  held  in  this  country— as  great,  in  ita  way,  as  the  memorable 
trial  for  impeachment  of  Warren  Hastings,  in  England. 


DECLARATION   OF   WAK. 


It 


of  David 
o  had,  at 
ison.  He 
aed  man, 
ire  attain- 
i  politics, 
emational 
is  Scotch 

ircuit"  for 
the  inter- 
iding   and 
jenefits  of 
[lent  in  his 
o  give  up 
—to  which 
o  open  an 
3tate,  how- 
permit  for 
of  precious 
legislature 
asked  for, 
failed,   for 
)pointment, 
try.     Upon 
T.     Failing 
to  Virgiula, 
ir,  irto  the 
a  war  with 

ages  on  the 
ide  of  this 
ice,  particu- 
remedy  for 
the  powers 
the  United 
jriew  of  this 

if  the  arraign* 
iBt  celebrated 
lie  memorable 


the  martial  sentiment  of  the  States  soon  called  into  the  field 
nujnerous  troops.  The  Embargo  act  passed  at  the  close  of 
the  year  1807 — the  act  of  non-intercourse  in  March,  1808. 
Both  of  these  measures  were  preliminary  to  a  state  of  declared 
hostilities.  In  the  spring  of  1808  the  Increase  of  the  Army  Bill 
became  a  law ;  and  Scott  obtained  the  commission  of  Captain 
of  light  artillery.  His  soul  was  alive  to  the  wrongs  and  indig- 
nities heaped  upon  his  countr3rmen  by  foreigners,  and  he 
resolved  to  embark,  with  all  his  energy,  in  the  cause  of  right- 
ing the  wrong.  In  the  summer  of  1807  he  had  volunteered 
in  a  troop  of  horse  called  out  by  presidential  proclamation  to 
close  the  harbors  of  the  country  against  British  vessels  of  war, 
but  did  not  enter  the  regular  service  until  commissioned,  as 
above  stated. 

The  declaration  of  war  did  not  immediately  follow  the 
belligerent  attitude  assumed  by  this  Government.  Mr.  Madison, 
then  President,  was  opposed  to  war,  except  as  a  last  resort ; 
and,  as  a  consequence,  his  temporizing  policy  served  to 
aggravate  the  injuries  which  special  pleading  with  tyranny 
and  ministerial  assumption  failed  to  correct.  Then,  as 
always,  it  was  learned  that  to  temporize  with  wrong  was 
to  weaken  the  cause  of  right ;  but,  so  potent  was  the  peace 
or  submission  party,  that  it  took  all  the  vehement  eloquence 
of  a  Clay  or  a  Calhoun  to  carry  the  spirit  of  resistance  event- 
ually into  an  open  declaration  of  war.*  Scott,  as  a  Democrat 
and  Jeffersonian,  was  for  war  from  his  first  -enlistment  as 
volunteer.  He  supported,  with  his  pen  and  speech,  the 
measures  of  resistance,  and,  by  his  ardor  and  patriotism, 
enkindled  the  fire  of  military  enthusiasm  in  the  bosoms  of 
hundreds  of  his  young  countrymen. 

Pending  the  prosecution  of  negotiations  for  an  adjustment 
of  our  difficulties  with  Great  Britain  and  France  (1808—1812) 
little  active  service  was  required  of  the  army.  In  1809  Scott, 
with  \\'i  company  of  Virginians,  was  ordered  to  join  the  army 
under  command  of  G>  neral  Wilkinson,  in  Louisiana.  This 
officer  had  played  a  somewhat  conspicuous  rdle  in  the  affair  of 
Aaron  Burr — acting,  as  many  declared,  the  part  of  a  Janus. 
At  the  trial  of  Burr,  at  Richmond,  Scott  had  been  present,  and 

«■  The  act  declaring  war  against  Great  Britain,  her  dependencies  and 
commerce,  was  passed  Jane  I8th,  1813. 


!        l! 


I: 


12 


THE   LIFE   OP    WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


there  formed  a  very  unpleasant  impression  regarding  Wilkin- 
son's integrity  and  soldierly  qualities.  This  impression  he 
carried  with  him  to  New  Orleans,  and  soon  became  convinced 
that  the  jommander  was  unworthy  of  his  station.  His  own 
nature  forbade  concealment  of  his  feelings ;  and  Wilkinson 
soon  learned  not  only  to  distrust  his  ability  to  command  such 
a  spirit  as  that  of  Scott,  but  to  hate  the  young  Captain  with 
all  the  force  of  his  illy-trained  passions.  The  Southern  army 
became  so  demoralized  under  the  General's  administration, 
that,  in  the  winter  of  1809-10  he  was  superseded  by  General 
Hampton.  Captain  Scott  so  freely  expressed  his  opinions  of 
the  deposed  General,  that  Wilkinson  tarried  long  enough  at 
camp,  after  his  suspension,  to  institute  court-martial  proceed- 
ings against  the  offending  party.  The  court  was  called  at 
the  camp  near  Natchez,  in  January  (1810).  Two  charges 
were  preferred :  first,  that  of  withholding  money  from  his 
men  placed  in  his  hands  for  their  services;  and,  second, 
unofticer-like  conduct  in  using  language  disrespectful  toward 
his  superior.  To  these  two  specifications  Scott  replied  by 
denying  the  first  unconditionally,  but  acknowledged  the 
second  and  plead  justification.  The  finding  of  the  court  was, 
a  dismissal  of  the  first  charge  as  untenable  ;  but  the  inexorable 
Sixth  Article  of  War  came  down  upon  him,  by  his  own 
acknowledgments  : — no  matter  what  the  justification,  the  act 
of  disrespect  was  not  mitigated ;  and  Scott  was  convicted, 
accordingly,  to  suspension  from  rank,  pay  and  emoluments 
for  one  year.  This  judgment,  technically  procured,  did  not 
injure  the  young  Captain  in  the  eyes  of  the  army  or  of  the 
people.  A  complimentary  dinner  was  given  him  by  his 
brother  soldiers  and  civilians,  prior  to  his  return  home,  and 
the  good  wishes  of  all  followed  him  in  his  exile,  as  the  officers 
humorously  termed  his  sentence.  • 

That  year  of  retirement  was  one  of  great  profit  to  him, 
having  been  spent  chiefly  at  the  hospitable  home  of  his  friend, 
Mr.  Leigh  (before  referred  to),  in  the  study  of  military  author- 
ities. Scott  made  himself  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  theory 
and  discipline  of  war,  in  all  branches  of  the  service ;  and 
there  laid  the  basis  for  that  well  known  system  which  is 
embodied  in  his  most  admirable  Military  Institutes  and  Army 
Manual.  '      -■ :  '/•'.  - 


mi 

UI 


THE   NIA0A11A   CAMPAIGN. 


18 


g  WUkin- 
ression  he 
convinced 
His  own 
"Wilkinson 
imand  such 
ptain  with 
:them  army 
inistration, 
by  General 
|opinions  of 
enough  at 
al  proceed- 
is  called  at 
wo  charges 
jy  from  his 
nd,  second, 
stful  toward 
replied  by 
ledged   the 
e  court  was, 
e  inexorable 
jy  his  own 
tion,  the  act 
3  convicted, 
emoluments 
red,  did  not 
ly  or  of  the 
liji   by   his 
:  home,  and 
i  the  officers 

ofit  to  him, 
)f  his  friend, 
tary  author- 
!i  the  theory 
ervice ;  and 
m  which  is 
a  and  Army 


ii-'-0.i  Jv;t... ;r  ".■: 


CHAPTER     II. 


•■;'  '''■}'!»  f 


THE  NIAQAIIA.  CAMPAIGN  —  SCOTT  COMMISSIONED  LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  — 
COMMANDS  AT  BLACK  ROCK — GALLANT  SEIZURE  OB"  THE  TWO  BRIGS — THB 
HOVEMENT  OF  VAN  RENSSELAER  ON  QUEBNSTOWN — SCOTT  ENLISTS — THB 
BATTLE  OF  QUEENSTOVVN  HEIGHTS — ITS  HONORS  AND  DISHONORS — THE 
AMERICANS  OVERPOWERED — SCOTT  A  PRISONER — LOSSES. 

The  war  of  1812  was,  at  length,  inaugurated.  The  insolent 
aggressions  of  England  rendered  longer  temporizing  base 
cowardice.  The  peace  party  had  to  give  way  before  the 
anathemas  of  the  Democrats  led  by  Clay  and  Calhoun. 
Outrages  against  American  citizens  by  *'  His  Britannic 
Majesty's"  agents,  who  boarded  American  vessels  and 
impressed  our  seamen,*  threw  into  the  background  the 
popular  indignation  against  Napoleon  for  his  immense  seizure 
and  confiscations  of  American  property  in  the  ports  of  the 
continent  War  was,  therefore,  declared  against  Great  Britain. 
That  declaration  served  to  render  Napoleon  our  ally,  though 
America  disdained  to  receive  any  direct  aid  from  French 
hands,  as  in  1778. 

Scott  was  called  to  the  field  in  July  1813,  commissioned  as 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  ai'tillery,  (Second,  Izard's  regiment). 
With  the  artillery,  Towson  and  Barker's  companies,  he 
moved  on  to  the  frontier  at  Niagara  river,  Previous  to  the ' 
opening  of  the  campaign  on  the  Niagara,  General  Hull's 
surrender  of  Detroit  had  taken  place  (August  14th).  An 
army  of  1800  men,  composed  in  part  of  veterans  of  the  Indian, 
war,  crossed  the  river  at  Detroit  for  the  invasion  of  Canada 
(July  12th).  Government  had  resolved  to  strike  the  enemy 
on  his  own  soil  and  make  the  conquest  of  the  Provinces  one 
of  the  prizes  of  the  war.  Immense  consequences  thej-efore 
hung  upon  General  Hull's  expedition.     When  it  was  learned 

*  Lord  Castlereagh  ndmittcd  tliat,  at  the  beginning  of  tlie  year  1811,  there 
might  have  been  sixteen  hundred  bona  fide  American  citizena  eervins 
under  compulsion  In  the  British  fleet.  Over  tliat  nnmber  had  been  kid- 
napped by  His  Majesty's  minions,  and  many  Americans  nctuajjy  ha4  t» 
tlgut,  throughout  the  war,  against  their  country, 


..JL. 


:n= 


r 


; 
I 
I 

! 
t 


I       1 

il 


I 


I 


14 


THE   LIFE   OF   WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


that  he  had  not  struck  a  blow  for  the  conquest,  but  had 
returned  to  Detroit,  and  there  had  surrendered  his  entire  army 
to  General  Brock,  execration  was  upon  ev6ry  American  lip, 
and  the  name  of  Hull  became  the  synonym  for  cowardice. 
Children  learned  to  heighten  their  vocabulary  of  imprecations 
by  using  the  expression,  "  As  mean  as  Hull  I" — it  worded  their 
most  implacable  contempt. 

Better  encounter  a  thousand  chances  for  defeat  and  death 
than  brave  the  scorn  even  of  children  I 

The  little  troop  moving  on  Niagara  had  noble  incentives  to 
duty.  That  surrender  filled  the  breasts  of  oflQcers  and  men 
with  an  indignation  which  amounted  to  solemnity.  They 
marched  toward  the  frontier,  resolved  to  wipe  away  that 
stain  upon  American  honor  and  arms  or  to  die.  Station  was 
taken  at  Black  Kock  (just  below  Buffalo,  on  the  American 
side  of  the  river),  where  a  United  States  navy  yard  was 
about  to  be  established.  Commodore  Chauncey  was  operating 
on  Lake  Ontario,  below,  pursuing,  with  his  extemporized  fleet, 
the  British  into  Kingston  harbor.  Resolving  upon  similar 
efforts  to  command  the  waters  of  Lake  Erie,  he  dispatched 
Lieutenant  Elliott  and  a  company  of  seamen  to  Black  Rock, 
where,  in  concert  with  Scott,  he  conceived  the  project  of  cut- 
ting out  two  British  brigs  of  war  just  arrived  from  Detroit, 
and  then  lying  snugly  under  the  guns  of  Fort  Erie — a  British 
fortress  opposite  Buffalo.  This  enterprise  of  great  daring  was 
gallantly  executed  on  the  morning  of  October  9th,  (1812). 
Captain  Towson  and  a  select  corps  from  his  company  assisted 
in  the  capture — boarding  and  seizing  the  Caledonia,  while 
Lieutenant  Elliott  and  his  seamen  (assisted  by  Lieutenant 
Roach)  carried  the  Adams.  The  two  brigs  dropped  down 
stream,  with  the  current ;  but  the  Adams,  becoming  becalmed, 
drifted  into  the  shore  (or  British)  channel,  and  eventually 
grounded  on  Squaw  island,  within  range  of  the  heavy  guns 
of  Fort  Erie,  which  opened  on  the  brig  with  great  fury.  She 
was,  therefore,  abandoned,  though  all  the  prisoners,  stores,  etc., 
were  secured.  Captain  Towson's  prize  safely  reached  Black 
Rock.  The  abandoned  vessel  was  the  American  brig  Adams, 
captured  off  Amherstburg  (Maiden)  by  the  British,  when 
loaded  with  supplies  for  General  Hull.  Her  recapture,  there- 
fore, was  a  matter  for  congratulation,  and,  though  abandoned, 


"% 


[est,  but  Lad 
entire  army 

Lmerican  lip, 
cowardice. 

Imprecations 
corded  their 

it  and  death 

incentives  to 
ers  and  men 
nity.      They 
e  away  that 
Station  was 
le  American 
vy  yard  was 
vas  operating 
iporized  fleet, 
upon  similar 
le  dispatched 
Black  Rock, 
roject  of  cut- 
from  Detroit, 
lie— a  British 
[it  daring  was 
r  9th,  (1812). 
pany  assisted 
"Aonia,  while 
y  Lieutenant 
•opped  down 
ng  becalmed, 
d  eventually 
I  heavy  guns 
it  fury.     She 
s,  stores,  etc., 
ached  Black 
brig  Adarm, 
iritish,  when 
ipture,  there- 
i  abandoned, 


MOVEMENT   OF   VAN   RENSSELAER   IN   QTJEENSTOWN.      15 

olonel  Scott  determined  to  preserve  her  from  the  enemy's 

ands.     A  very  lively  contest  soon  ensued.     The  British  sent 

flf  boats  to  retake  the  vessel — Scott's  men,  under  his  own 

rders,  drove  them  back,  and  reoccupied  the  hull  until  she 

as  burned  by  orders  of  General  Smythc,  who,  unfortunately 

r  his  country,  was  given  a  superior  command  on  the  frontier, 

,nd  had  arrived  at  Black  Rock  at  the  time  of  the  expedition. 

he  Caledonia  was  reserved  for  future  service,  and  played  a 

allant  part  in  the  Battle  of  Lake  Erie,  under  Commodore 

erry. 

This  incident,  small  in  itself,  served  greatly  to  elate  the 
ew  York   militia,  which  Governor   Tompkins  had  called 
to  the  field,  under  command  of  Major-General  Stephen  Van 
ensselaer.     These  troops  were  so  clamorous  for  action  that 
eneral  Van  Rensselaer  conceived  the  plan  of  seizing  Queens- 
town  for  his  winter-quarters.     This  village  was  on  the  Canada 
Bide,  opposite  Xewlston,  at  the  foot  of  the  Falls.    Having  been 
joined  by  450  regulars  from  Fort  Niagara,  under  command  of 
Colonels  Chrystie  and   Fenwick  and   Major  Mullaney,  the 
attempt  was  made,  October  12th,  when  600  troops — half  militia, 
|inder  command  of  Colonel    Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  and 
alf  regulars,  under  Colonel  Chrystie — were  ordered  to  cross 
e  river.     Small  boats  were  wanting  to  so  great  an  extent 
|liat  the  troops  had  to  ^o  over  in  detachments,  thus  greatly 
Retarding  the  movement,  and  affording  the  enemy  opportunity 
ibr  worrying  the  men.     Colonel  Van  Rensselaer  succeeded  in 
'  etting  over  about  100  of  his  troops,  when  a  collision  was 
reed   by   the   enemy.      The   Americans   suffered    terribly, 
olonel  Van  Rensselaer  fell,  pierced  by  four  balls,  and  every 
ommissioned   officer  was   either  killed  or  -^vounded.      Bu*- 
thers  now  came  up  with  small  detachments.     Colonel  Van 
ensselaer   uttered    his   last   orders — "  Storm  the  batteries  1" 
aptains  Wool,*  0,'^ilvie,  Armstrong  and  Malcolm  executed 
the  command  with  great  intrepidity : — the  height  was  stormed 
and  the  enemy's  battery  carried.     The  British  retreated  to  a 
Itone  house  near  bv,  from  which  the  Americans  were  not 
Strong  enough   to  dislodge   them.     General   Brock,  with  a 
ftnall  force  of  regulars,  now  appeared  upon  the  ground.     He 
<iBd  his  men  gallantly  to  the  charge,  supported  by  Colonel 

■^;  ♦  Now  Maj  or-Qeneral  Wool. 

■■3 


I 


i;!( 


li!' 


I  Ij 
I  I'i 


>  i 


10   • 


THK    LIFE    OP    WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


McDonald.  Both  fell  before  the  well  directed  fire  of  the 
Americans,  and  their  troops  were  quickly  dispersed.  The 
action  then  ceased,  for  awhile. 

Colonel  Scott,  during  all  this  proceeding,  was  no  idle 
spectator.  Being  at  Black  Rock,  on  the  river  above  Lcwiston, 
he  hastened,  by  a  lonely  night-march,  to  General  "Van  Rensse- 
laer to  offer  his  services.  But,  all  commands  having  been 
given  out,  he  was  permitted  to  bring  down  his  own  regiment 
and  artillery  to  act  as  circumstances  should  require.  On  the 
morning  of  October  12th  he  reached  the  American  camp,  and, 
finding  no  means  of  transport  across  the  river  to  engage  the 
enemy,  drew  up  his  artillery  on  the  bank.  It  was  served  by 
Captains  Towson  and  Barker  and  aided  the  movement  of  the 
advance  by  throwing  shot  into  the  enemy's  lines,  and  the 
battery  on  the  opposite  bank.  The  well-served  pieces  kept 
the  British  much  under  cover,  and  thus  rendered  good  service. 
After  the  American  assault  and  its  disasters,  h(  solicited  and 
obtained  permission  to  cross  and  assume  command  of  the 
troops.  Accompanied  by  his  adjutant,  the  gallant  Lieutenant 
Roach,*  he  crossed  the  river,  and,  mounting  the  heights, 
encountered  Brigadier-General  William  Wadsworth,  of  the 
New  York  State  militia.  This  officer  being  a  superior,  Scott 
instantly  deferred  his  general  command,  and  proposed  to  lead 
the  regulars,  under  General  Wadsworth's  orders.  That  gentle- 
man and  admirable  officer,  however,  responded  :  "  No  sir ! 
You  shall  command,  for  you  laiow  best  what  should  be  done. 
I  have  come  here  unordered,  and  for  the  Jionor  of  the  New 
York  militia,  whom  I  wish  to  lead."  Scott  could  but  press 
Jhe  hand  of  the  disinterested  soldier,  and  immediately  assumed 
the  field,  in  general  command.  Throughout  the  terrible 
conflict  which  followed,  General  "Wadsworth  stood  by  Scott 
and  served  hUn  with  great  intrepidity.  The  young  com- 
mander's unusually  tall  figure  f  was  a  target  for  the  rifles  of 
the  savages  who  lurked  in  the  covers  around,  and  Wadsworth 
several  times  sprung  before  him  to  receive,  in  his  own  person, 
the  ball  which  he  saw  was  aimed  at  the  Colonel.  Both 
miraculously  escaped  unharmed — much  to  the  astonishment 

♦Still  living,  we  believe,  in  Philadelphia,  of  which  city  he  was  mayor, 
a  few  years  since, 
t  Scott,  at  that  time,  measured  elx  feet  five  inches  in  stature. 


BATTLE    OV    QUEENSTOWN    nEIOHTS. 


17 


fire  of  the 
jrsed.     The 

as  no  idle 

e  Lewiston, 

an  Rensse- 

aving  been 

n  regiment 

lire.     On  the 

camp,  and, 

engage  the 

as  served  by 

ement  of  the 

nes,  and  the 

pieces  kept 

good  service. 

solicited  and 

mand  of  the 

Qt  Lieutenant 

the  heights, 

rorth,  of  the 

uperior,  Scott 

•posed  to  lead 

That  gentle- 

d  :  "No  sir ! 

ould  be  done. 

r  of  the  New 

uld  but  press 

ately  assumed 

the  terrible 

ood  by  Scott 

young  com- 

the  rifles  of 

d  Wadsworth 

3  own  person, 

jlonel.     Both 

astonishment 

r  he  was  mayor, 
tnre. 


)f  the  Indians,  who  rarely  missed  their  aim.  They  afterward 
leclared  the  American  bore  a  charmed  life  and  never  would 
t)e  killed  in  battle. 

Reinforcements  continuing  to  pass  over  the  river,  Scott 
found  on  the  heights  350  regulars  and  250  militia  with  which 
lo  operate  against  the  rapidly  concentrating  enemy.  With 
Ihe  assistance  of  Captain  Totten*  the  strongest  disposition  in 
lefense  was  made,  not  only  to  resist  the  enemy  but  also  to 
^over  the  passage  of  the  residue  of  the  troops  across  the  river. 

'he  preparations  were  all  needed,  for  the  Indians,  to  the 

bmber  of  500,  joined  the  British  light  infantry  previously 

^ngaged,  and   made  a  combined  charge  on   the  American 

|>osition.     The  reception  was  warm  and  they  were  driven 

)ack  with  much  loss.     Not  daunted,  the  savages  made  several 

>ther  desperate  attempts  upon  the  picket-guards,  but  were,  in 

sach  instance,  repulsed.f     The  garrison  at  Fort  George,  eight 

|niles  below,  hearing  the  first  cannonade,  had  hurried  forward 

Imd  were  now  on  the  ground,  eight  hundred  and  fifty  strong, 

|inder  command  of  Major-General  Sheaffe.     This  force,  added 

Jo  that   already   engaged,  made  the   odds   fearfully  against 

.'Plie  Americans.      The  reinforcements  were  now  looked  for 

rith  painful  anxiety.     Vain  solicitude  ! 

The  militia,  still  remaining  on  the  American  side,  had  so 
n*  cooled  in  ardor  as  positively  to  refuse  to  cross  the  river, 
'he  sight  of  the  wounded  brought  over  from  the  Canada 
ifhore  appalled  them.  They  stood  upon  their  technical  rights 
)nly  to  fight  upon  their  own  soil,  and  no  prayers  of  oflScers, 
10  command  of  the  General,  no  petition  from  the  little  troop 
Ker  the  river,  could  induce  them  to  fill  the  now  empty  boats. 

Fothing  seemed  to  remain  for  the  three  hundred  but  sur- 
render or  massacre.     Scott  preferred  the  latter.     Mounting 

log,  he  thus  addressed  the  men  : 

^  *  Now  the  eminent  Chief  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers. 

t  MansfleM  mentions  iui  incident  which  happily  illustrates  Scott's  power 
jJlTer  his  men.  The  pickets  having  been  forced  back  upon  the  main  body, 
i  panic  ensued  among  the  militia,  which,  for  a  moment,  threatened  the 
■entire  loss  of  the  day,  and  a  general  massacre  of  the  forces.  Scott,  at  the 
ikioment,  was  in  the  rear  showing  the  men  how  to  unspike  a  cannon.  He 
ihished  forward,  sprung  over  the  lines,  ordered  his  men,  in  a  voice  of 
Ihunder,  "  Right-about  I"  "  Stand !"  "  Charge  1"  It  was  the  work  of  au 
Instant,  but  it  saved  the  day.  The  savages  recoiled  before  the  charge, 
#hlch  he  led  in  person,  and  did  not  return  again  to  the  assault.  Great 
'lumbers  of  them  fell  before  the  balls  and  bayonets  of  the  aroused  soldiery. 


— *MdHW^«i«ifl 


18 


THE   LIFE   01"   WINPIELD    SCOTT. 


k  si 


i; 


"  *  The  enemy's  balls  begin  to  thin  our  ranks.  His  numbers 
are  overwhelming.  In  a  moment  the  shock  must  come,  and 
there  is  no  retreat.  We  are  in  the  beginning  of  a  national  war. 
Hull's  surrender  is  to  be  redeemed.  Let  us  then  die,  arms  in 
hand.  Our  country  demands  the  sacrifice.  The  example  will 
not  be  lost.  The  blood  of  the  slain  will  make  heroes  of  the 
living.  Those  who  follow  will  avenge  our  fall  and  their 
country's  wrongs.    Who  dare  to  stand  ?'  ,;.,.,    :  , 

" '  All  !'  was  the  answering  shout."  *    • 

Sheaffe  came  forward  with  great  precaution,  evidently 
fearing  some  reserve  or  strategy,  for  it  seemed  to  him  incred- 
ible that  such  a  small  force  should  attempt  to  stem  the  tide 
of  war.  He  made  the  attack,  finally,  with  great  fuiy.  The 
Americans  replied  with  equal  spirit,  but,  how  long  could  that 
be  done  ?  Not  long,  indeed.  The  promise  to  stand  by  their 
commander  to  the  death  was  brok(!n,  for,  perceiving  that  the 
enemy  was  closing  around  upon  all  sides,  the  last  moment 
was  seized  by  the  men  j  drop  over  the  banks  of  the  river 
and  clamber  or  fall  down  to  the  stream  below.  The  officers 
followed,  hoping  for  some  fortune  by  which  they  might  bring 
the  men  into  concert  of  action  again.  But  all  was  hopeless, 
and,  after  a  brief  consultation,  it  was  decided  to  capitulate,  if 
honorable  terms  were  given.  Several  flags  of  tnice  were  sent 
up  the  height,  but  they  were  fired  upon  and  the  messengers 
lost.  Scott  then  resolved  to  perform  the  duty  himself.  In 
company  with  Captains  Gibson  and  Totten,  he  sallied  forth 
on  his  perilous  errand,  bearing  a  white  handkerchief  strung 
to  his  sword  as  the  flag  of  truce.  Using  the  precipice  for  a 
cover  they  safely  reached  the  path  up  the  bank  to  the  road 
leading  from  the  village  to  the  heights.  This  road  was 
gained,  at  length,  though  a  number  of  savages,  sighting  the 
white  flag,  had  fired  upon  it  repeatedly;  when,  suddenlj', 
two  stalwart  warriors  sprung  from  cover  upon  the  messengers, 
with  uplifted  tomahawks.  Scott  swung  aloft  his  flag,  and, 
defiantly  pointing  to  it,  caused  them  to  hesitate  a  moment. 
But  only  a  moment,  for  they  quickly  made  an  attempt  to 
wrench  the  flag  from  his  grasp.  Totten  and  Gibson,  fired  by 
indignation  at  the  outrage,  drew  their  swords,  and  would 
have  made  short  work  with  the  assailants  had  not  a  British 
officer  and  a  troop  of  horse  rode  down  upon  the  combatants. 

♦  Mansfield's  Biography. 


SURRENDER   OP   THE   AMERICANS. 


19 


His  numbers 
it  come,  and 
lational  war. 
die,  arms  in 
xample  will 
eroes  of  tlic 
1  and  their 


evidently 

him  incred- 

tem  the  tide 

fury.     The 

g.  could  that 

and  by  their 

ing  that  the 

last  moment 

of  the  river 

The  officers 

'  might  bring 

was  hopeless, 

capitulate,  if 

ace  were  sent 

e  messengers 

himself.     In 

sallied  forth 

Tchief  strung 

recipice  for  a 

t  to  the  road 

lis  road  was 

sighting  the 

3n,  suddenly, 

e  messengers, 

[lis  flag,  and, 

e  a  moment. 

a  attempt  to 

)SOn,  fired  by 

1,  and  would 

not  a  British 

i  combatants. 


ic  Americans  were  given  proper  protection,  though  the 
idish  savages— the  "  allies  "  of  the  English — did  not  fail  to 

J^ress  their  rage  that  three  such  fine  scalps  should  have  been 
Itched  from  their  grasp. 

[Terms  of  honorable  capitulation  were  obtained  of  General 

Icaffe,  when  Scott  surrendered  of  officers  and  men,  two 
idred  and  ninety-three  —  the  entire  remnant  of  his  late 

tees. 

i'oTE.— Some  of  the  militia,  it  would  appear,  had,  during  the  day,  been 
reuaded  to  embark  and  land  above  the  scene  of  conflict  to  await  the 
le  of  the  battle  t  To  Scott's  extreme  disgust  these  men  were  all 
^uirht  in  as  prisoners.  Not  a  gun  had  they  fired.  Major  Mullaney  had 
klc  the  most  strenuous  exertions  to  get  over  a  force  of  two  hundred  men. 
men  embarked,  but  unfortunately  the  boats  were  loaded  so  deeply 
to  be(^me  unmanageable  in  the  heavy  current,  and  the  whole  detach- 
^t  was  carried  ashore,  right  in  the  enemy's  m^idst.  All  these  disasters 
e  the  American  loss,  iu  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners,  about  1,C00. 
the  British  loss  no  authentic  account  has  been  given.  That  they  suf- 
friied  most  severely  is  conceded.  The  Indians,  in  particular,  were  greatly 
.sperated  at  their  enormous  losses  as  compared  with  those  of  their 
my.  It  may  bo  proper  to  state  that  Hildreth,  the  historian,  says  the 
itia,  after  hearing  Sfieaffe''s  guns,  refused  to  pas?  over— that  those 
'eady  on  the  Canada  shore  were  nearly  as  numerous  as  Sheaffe's  forces, 
Kl  were  captured  in  attempting  to  fall  back  upon  the  water's  edge,  etc. 
ckenbridge,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Late  War,"  gives  still  another  ver- 
.j||bn  of  this  affair  at  Queenstown.  He  has  it  that  Brock  charged  three  times 
■the  head  of  the  49th  regiment,  GOO  strong,  and  that  the  British  were  on 
point  of  driving  the  Americans  over  the  precipice,  when  Colonel 
[rystio  came  up  with  a  email  reinforcement,  and  led  a  desperate  charge, 
tich  routed  the  British,  and  Brock,  endeavoring  to  rally  his  flying 
lops,  was  pierced  by  three  balls— that  after  this  General  Van  Rensselaer 
i83.ed  over  for  the  purpose  of  fortifying  the  camp  on  the  heights,  assign 
the  engineer's  duty  to  Captain  Totten— that  the  Chippeiva  Indians 
British  made  an  impetuous  attack  at  three,  p.  m.,  but  were  repulsed 
the  fiery  ardor  of  Scott  and  Chrystie— that  General  Van  Rensselaer 
n  rccrogsed  the  river  to  bring  over  the  remaining  1,200  militia,  but,  to 
YM  great  chagrin,  found'  the  men  determined  not  to  embark,  and  sent 
^rd  over,  accordingly,  to  General  Wadsworth,  with  orders  for  him  to 
o^Iisult  his  own  judgment  in  the  further  action  of  the  day,  etc.  There  is 
BSph  discrepancy  in  the  several  accounts  of  the  action  that  it  is  difficult  to 
gA  at  the  exact  truth.  The  version  we  adopt  is,  generally,  that  of 
Wtnsfield. 


'^^ 


h 


•i<'''>'t 


V'V»    >?    Ai    ;;.i*l 


.=k.- 


«»&-■''.■ 


10 


THB  JJJti  OF  WX2TFIELO  SCOXT. 


»; 


:i 


..  .,.      .1.         ..     ^       ■ 


)un( 


■','     '-rr' 


CHAPTER    III. 

▲  PRISONRR — ATTACKED  BT  THE  TWO  SAVAGES — THE  ESCAPE — BURIAL  ( 
OKNBRAL  BROCK — THE  AFFAIR  AT  QUEBEC — THE  IRISH  PRISONERS  SGUI 
TO  BE  TRIED  FOR  HIOH  TREASON — SOOTT'S  FEARLESS  PROTEST— li 
SPEECH  AND  THREATS  OF  RETALIATION— IS  EXCHANGED — LATS  BEFOI 
GOVBRNliENT  THE  CASE  OF  THE  PRISONERS— PROMPT  RETALIATOt 
ACTION — ITS  RK8ULT — INCIDENT  OF  THE  RETURN  OF  THE  IRISH  HOJ 
AFTER  THE  WAR. 

The  action  of  Queenstown  Heights,  while  it  reflected  hoDfiJf^^'^ 
on  those  engaged  under  Scott,  Wadsworth,  and  tlie*hivaln!«^^  ^ 
Colonel  Chrystie,  brought  discredit  on  the  State  militia.  Tli  ^^  *^ 
intrepid  assault  and  defense  of  the  heights,  by  the  thrf#^J^' 
hundred,  added  greatly  to  the  confidence  of  the  troot  l^'^^^ ' 
generally ;  while  great  regret  was  expressed,  by  the  peep  -^"^^ 
and  the  press,  that  the  gallant  commander  and  his  comrad  ^^»^ 
should  have  been  compelled  to  endure  the  mortifications  of 
surrender,  owing  to  the  bad  arrangements  for  the  transpo? 
of  the  troops  and  the  attitude  of  the  militia. 

The  prisoners  were  treated  with  much  kindness  by  Gener 
Sheaflfe's  express  orders,  and  every  precaution  adopted  ' 
.  prevent  the  Indians  from  offering  any  outrage  to  them.  Bi 
in  one  instance  at  least,  they  succeeded  in  baflfling  the  guard 
and  came  near  wreaking  their  bloody  vengeance  upon  Colon 
Scott.  The  American  oflicers  were  quartered  at  an  inn,  i 
Niagara  village  (near  Fort  George),  and  were  allowed  tl 
freedom  of  the  house.  Receiving  word  that  two  visito 
awaited  in  the  hall  to  see  him,  Scott  passed  out,  into  tin 
entry,  alone.  He  there  met  the  two  sj^vages  whom  he  hs ' 
baffled  in  their  assault  upon  the  flag  of  truce.  They  wer 
the  celebrated  chief.  Captain  Jacobs,  and  a  son  of  Brand 
botlnnuscular,  resolute  men.  Their  errand  was,  apparent! 
to  examine  the  "  tall  American"  and  see  if  he  haid  not  bet 
hit  by  their  balls.  It  seemed  incredible  to  them  that  I 
should  have  escaped  their  repeated  and  carefully-aimed  shot  ^ 
Captain  Jacobs  seized  Scott  roughly  by  the  arm  to  turn  hii 


ktei 
G 

Ti 


las 


lo: 


ike] 


...•*^'' 


BURIAL  OF  GENERAL  BROCK. 


21 


h'- 


JCAPE— BDBIAI.  I 
I  PRISONERS  8EIZI I 
ISS     PROTEST— H 
|R0 — LATS    BEF011 
IPT     RETALIATOli 
THE    IRISH   HOI:, I 

reflected  hoDf 
ad  tlie^hivalri 
te  militia.    Tli 


und.  The  Colonel  from  the  first  felt  assured  that  their 
Ign  was  to  tomahawk  him.  He  now  threw  the  Indian 
m  him,  indignantly  exclaiming : — '*  Oif,  villain  I  You  fired 
e  a  squaw !"  The  savage,  perfectly  furious,  cried : — "  We 
1  you  now !"  as  both  drew  their  tomahawks  and  knives, 
e  intrepid  American  saw  that  it  was  a  moment  of  life  or 
ath  to  him.  Not  a  word  was  uttered ;  but,  backing  toward 
je  corner  of  the  entry,  where  stood  the  swords  of  the  officers, 
kept  the  savages,  for  a  moment,  at  bay.  A  sudden  spring 
ve  him  possession  of  a  long  saber,  fortunately  lying  first  at 
,nd.  Another  spring  forward,  upon  his  foes,  placed  them 
the  defense.  They  then  commenced  maneuvering  with 
eir  barbarian  sagacity,  to  get  the  advantage  of  position ; 
t  Sqott,  with  h'i  gleaming  weapon,  kept  them  before  him. 
,t  that  fearful  moment  the  door  opened,  and  Captain  Coffin, 
by  the  thre  .#  British  oflicer  in  the  General's  staff,  entered.  He  saw  the 
of  the  troo'  ifp^^^  ^^  '^^  prisoner,  and  shouted,  "  Guard  1"  as  he  placed  the 
,  by  the  peop  #"2;zle  of  his  pistol  at  the  head  of  young  Brandt,  while  he 
id  his  comrad'  d§^"S^^  Jacobs  by  the  arm.  The  guard  came  rushing  in, 
^rtifications  of  W^^  poised  bayonets,  when  the  allies  were  marched  away, 
oroughly  infuriated  that,  a  second  time,  they  should  have 
en  foiled.  So  furious  did  not  only  they,  but  all  the  Indians, 
come  at  the  failure  to  kill  the  American  commander,  that 
e  guard  was  doubled  around  the  inn,  and  Scott  was  unable 
leave  the  building  even  to  dine  with  General  Sheaffe,  unless 
^tended  by  a  strong  escort.  • 

General  Brock,  who  fell  mortally  wounded  at  the  attempt 
retake  the  lost  position  on  Queenstown  Heights,  was  an 
cer  of  many  noble  qualities  of  head  and  heart.     His  death 
as  sincerely  lamented — by  none  more  than  by  Colonel  Scott, 
e  remains  were  deposited  under  one  of  the  bastions  of  Fort 
orge,  with  great  military  parade.     Scott  sent  word  of  the 
ent  to  the  American  commander  of  Fort  Niagara,  opposite 
rt  George,  requesting  that  minute  guns  might  be  fired  during 
e  sad  rites.     Captain   McKeon   cheerfully  complied,  and 
ock  was  laid  in  his  tomb  amid  the  booming  of  sympathetic 
ns  of  the  two  nations.* 


)r  the  transpo 


iness  by  Gener 
ion   adopted  ! 
!  to  them.     Bu 
Bing  the  guard 
ce  upon  Colon 
d  at  an  inn,  i. 
;re  allowed  tl 
at  two  visito 
id  out,  into  tl  *j 
s  whom  he  ha 
e.     They  wer 
son  of  Brand 
vas,  apparent! 
B  had  not  bee 
them  that  I 
llyaimed  shot  % 
"m  to  turn  hirs 


*  Brock  had  a  fine  monnmont  erected  to  hia  memory,  on  Queenstown 
(eights,  by  the  British  Government,  beneath  which  his  remains  were 
Ipultured.  In  the  "  Patriot  War  "  some  wretch  of  a  Vandal  blew  up  the 
lonument.  It  was  restored  by  the  Government,  and  now  crowns  that 
Memorable  height— a  melancholy  record  of  the  honors  of  war . 


22 


THE   LIFE   OP   WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


The  American  prisoners  were  borne  to  Quebec,  and  mo; 
of  tliem,  including  ofliccra,  were  sent  to  Boston  for  excliansf 
A  few,  liowcver,  of  tlio  Irish,  wcro  retained,  as  being  subjcci 
of  tlie  British  Crown.     Tlicy  were  ''spotted"  by  the  Britiv 
officers  by  their  brogue.     Scott  being  below,  heard  the  noi- 
on  deck  of  men  declaring  their .  American  citizenship,  an 
rushed  up  to  discover  that  twenty-three  men  already  had  bee 
set  apart,  for  transportation  to  England,  where,  they  wor 
informed,  they  were  to  be  tried  for  high  treason  in  taking  iij 
arms  against  their  lawful  sovereign.     Scott  instantly  protests 
against  the  outrage,  declaring  that,  as  American  citizens  liii 
men  should  receive  the  protection  of  his  Government.     TIk 
British  officer  in  command  ordered  liim  to  be  silent.     Defiantli , 
drawing  himself  up  to  his  fullest  height,  he  shouted  to  tlit; 
men  to  refuse  to  answer  any  questions  propounded  to  them  bj, 
which  their  nationality  might  be  discovered,  and,  turning  t(  ^ 
the  officer,  he  said : — 

"  I  know  my  place,  my  duty  and  rny  riglits.    I  know  you  art ' 
committing  a  monstrous  wrong  against  my  troops.    But  I  wan 
you,  sir,  and  your  superiors,  that,  if  you  persist  in  sending  ofi  i 
these  prisoners  to  England  for  trial  I  shall  make  a  fearfii 
exchange;  for,  for  every  man  you  take,  my  Government  wlL 
take  ten,  and  for  every  life  you  jeopardize  the  lives  of  tor; 
Englishmen  sliall  pay  the  forfeit.    You  and  your  Governmeni! 
shall  be  made  to  feel  the  law  of  retaliation  to  a  degred  of  whicL  i 
you  little  dream,  if  you  persist  in  this  infamous  business." 

He  then  addressed  the  prisoners  words  of  instruction,  as  tcl 
their  rigMs,  and  exhorted  them,  under  all  circumstances,  t( 
claim  a  citizenship  of  the  United  States.  He  promised  then- 
the  fullest  protection  of  the  Government,  and  said  that,  if  a^ 
hair  of  their  head  was  harmed,  no  quarter  would  ever  bej 
given  in  battle — the  fight  should  be  war  to  the  knife.  Hi^ 
words  cheered  the  poor,  dispirited  men  like  magic,  while  tlu* 
British  officers  frequently  interrupted  but  did  not  succeed  in! 
staying  his  fiery  speech.  As  no  more  Irish,  would  answer , 
questions  only  the  twenty-three  already  set  apart  could  be' 
secured  for  transportation.  These  were  placed  in  irons,  on  iist,, 
frigate  in  waiting,  and  borne  to  England  for  trial.  Scott,  true^^"^ 
to  his  promise,  hastened  from  Boston,  after  his  exchange,  tOyfcjej. 
Washington,  to  lay  the  whole  affair  before  Government.  Byj^Bh 
order  of  the  President  he  reported  the  matter  in  writing  to  thei 


,..>*^'^ 


UETALIATOllY    ACTION. 


$$ 


bee,  and  mo 

for  cxclian 

being  subjcc 

by  llic  Brit  is: 

card  the  mm 

Lizcnship,  an 

iudy  had  bee 

e,  they  ■vvci 

1  in  taking  ii; 

mtly  protest  ( 

n  citizens  li 

rnmcnt.     Tli' 

nt.     Defiant!} 

houted  to  tlif 

ed  to  tliem  In 

md,  tui-ning  t( 

know  you  an 
I.  But  I  wan 
in  sending  ot] 
nake  a  fearfii 
ivernment  wIL 
le  lives  of  tci: 
ir  Governmcii! 
egred  of  whicL 
(usiness." 

5truction,  as  to 
cumstancea,  tc 
promised  then 

said  that,  if  a 
should  ever  be 
le  knife.  HIj 
igic,  while  tlit 
lot  succeed  in 
would  answer 
part  could  be 

in  irons,  on  .1 
l1.  Scott,  true 
3  exchange,  to 
ernment.  By 
writing  to  the 


,r  Department  (.January  13th,  1813).  It  served  to  awaken 
cial  attention  to  Great  Britain's  assumptions  that  her 
enships  were  perpetual ;  and,  although  Congress  had 
re  refused  to  pass  a  special  Retaliatory  Act,  it  now 
nsidered  its  position  so  fur  as  to  pass  (March  8d)  the 
t|tct  investing  tlio  President  of  the  United  States  with  the 
fUffKcv  of  retaliation."  Under  this  enactment  the  President 
lilJBiorized  the  retention  of  hostages,  not  only  for  the  twenty- 
tififeo  Irish,  but  for  all  other  American  troops  who  had  been, 
6t  might  be,  seized  and  imprisoned  as  subjects  of  Great 
taiu.  There  was  no  other  course  to  be  pnsucd  to  compel 
British  Government  to  abrogate  its  monstrous  assumptions 
perpetual  and  irrevocable  citizenship  of  its  born  subjects, 
e  the  *'  right  of  search  and  seizure"  claim  it  was  a  just 
s  belli,  and  would  have  been  so  treated  if,  like  that  "  right," 
'had  not  virtually  been  abandoned  as  a  preliminary  to  peace. 
TTfe  may  add,  however,  that  Great  Britain  has  never  entirely 
alj^gated  the  claim  then  put  forth,  and  circumstances  ma^ 
a^e  in  which  this  question  of  citizenship  will  again  disturb 
relations  between  the  two  countries, 
his  action  of  the  Government  was  soon  enforced.  General 
rborn,  by  orders  of  Mr.  Madison,  placed  twenty-threo 
itish  (Englishmen  all  of  them)  in  confinement  as  hostages, 
lu^  communicated  the  fact  to  Sir  George  Prevost,  Governor- 
eral  of  Canada.  This  called  from  the  British  ministry  the 
lowing  reply  to  Prevost' s  demand  for  special  instructions : — 

•You  will  lose  no  time  in  communicating  to  Major-General 
^'  ,rborn,  that  yOu  have  transmitted  home  a  copy  of  his  letter 
ou,  and  that  you  are,  in  consequence,  instructed  distinctly 
tfti'etate  to  him  that  you  have  received  the  commands  of  Hi3 
al  Highness  the  Prince  Regent,  forthwith  to  put  in  close 
"nement  forty-six  American  officers  and  non-commissioned 
ers,  to  be  held  as  hostages  for  the  safe  keeping  of  the 
t#inty-tlirce  British  soldiers  stated  to  have  been  put  in  close 
confinement  by  order  of  tlie  American  Government;  and  you 
wUi  at  the  same  time  apprise  him,  that  if  any  of  the  said  British* 
scttdiers  shall  suffer  death  by  reason  that  the  soldiers  now  under 
confinement  here  have  been  found  guilty,  and  that  the  known 
lia^  not  only  of  Great  Britain,  but  of  every  independent  State 
ubdcr  like  circumstances,  has  been  in  consequence  executed, 
~^  have  been  instructed  to  select  out  of  the  American  officers 
non-commissioned  officers  whom  you  shall  put  into  close 


ma 


UHHC 


!{  1' 


24 


THE   LIFE   OF   WINPIELD   SCOTT. 


• 


I 


;  I 


i|:i 


confinement,  as  many  as  may  double  the  number  of  Britisl 
soldiers  who  shall  so  unwarrantably  have  been  put  to  deati 
and  cause  such  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers  to  suffe 
death  immediately. 

"And  yor.  are  farther  instructed  to  notify  Major-Genera 
Dearborn,  that  the  commanders  of  His  Majesty's  fleets  am 
armies  on  the  coasts  of  America,  have  received  instructions  ti 
prosecute  the  war  with  unmitigated  severity  against  all  cities 
towns  and  villages  belonging  to  the  United  S  .ites  and  agaiiii 
the  inhabitants  thereof,"  etc.,  etc. 


This  so  fully  shows  the  arrogance  and  spirit  of  tli 
assumption  referred  to,  that  we  give  it  as  a  historical  fact  o; 
great  significance — particularly  as  the  event  proved  that  tli 
British  Government  not  only  did  not  try,  convict  and  execut 
the  twenty-three  Irishmen,  but  failed  to  do  any  of  tli 
wonderful  things  threatened,  of  devastation  of  cities,  et( 
Why?  Because  forty-six  British  commissioned  officers  wer 
set  apart  immediately  as  hostages  for  the  said  forty-si; 
Americans;  and  the  bearing  of  the  American  officers  am 
Government  left  not  a  shadow  of  doubt  on  the  minds  of  tli 
impolitic  Sir  George  Prevost  and  his  superiors  that  tli 
principle  of  retaliation  would  be  carried  to  a  general  massacr; 
if  necessary  to  defend  the  lives  and  liberty  of  these  twenty 
three  Jrishmen.  Such  is  the  good  result  of  what  American: 
expressively  term  bacJcbone,  in  times  of  trial. 

The  last  incident  in  the  history  of  the  Irish  prisoners  ma; 
here  be  given.  After  peace  had  been  concluded,  Scott 
suffering  from  his  wounds,  determined  to  visit  Europe 
Strolling  along  the  East  river  skl.e  of  New  York  city,  one  da) 
in  July,  1815,  preparatory  to  his  departure,  his  ears  wen 
greeted  with  the  din  of  a  great  huzzaing  and  bustle,  on  ont 
of  the  piers.  Passing  down,  he  found  gathered  on  the  pie; 
the  identical  Irishmen  carried  to  England  in  irons  fron 
Quebec.  They  had  just  landed  from  a  Liverpool  packet- 
having  been  sent  home  by  the  British  Government ;  and  thei: 
arrival  it  was  which  had  created  the  wild  huzzas.  Scott  hai 
'scarcely  approached  the  crowd  before  he  was  recognized  b; 
the  returned  men.  Instantly  they  flew  to  .his  side.  The; 
embraced  him,  pressed  his  knees,  kissed  his  very  feet  in  thei 
joy,  while  all  wept  like  children.  Scott  was  deeply  moved 
and  was  truly  repaid  for  all  he  had  done  in  their  behalf.     Ttv( 


)er  of  Britis: 

put  to  death 
leers  to  suffer, 

iMajor-Genera. 
Ity's  fleets  ami 
linstructions 
lainst  all  cities ] 
Ites  and  agaim 


spirit  of  IL 
storical  fact  o 

roved  that  tl. 
ict  and  execui 

I   any   of  tli 

of  cities,  el 
i  officers  wei 

said  forty-si: 
n  officers  an 


IS   CHOSEN    CHIEF    OV   THK    GENERALS   STAFF. 


25 


died  during  their  confinement ;  tTventy-onc  had  returned. 

tt,  notwithstanding  his  pressing  preparations  for  the  foreign 

rney,  and  his  ill-liealth,  immediately  laid  their  case  before 

Department,  and  obtained,  for  all  of  them,  arrearages  of 

and  land  bounty  patents,  thus  placing  them  in  compara- 

lly  comfortable  circumstances.     These  kind  offices  further 

|eared  him  to  the  Irish,  generally,  for,  it  is  a  somewhat 

irkable  fact,  that  that  people  have  a  free-masonry  of 

idship  which  reciprocates  a  disinterested  kindness  done 

to  the  least  of  their  kin. 


CHAPTER    IV. 


riors  that  tli 
3neral  massaci; 
f  these  twenty 
rhat  Americar 


e  minds  of  tli  *^  ^'^"^^^^^  °*"  18^3— aid  to  general  dearborn — the  takino  or 

f6RT    GEORGE — SCOTt's    GREAT    INTREPIDITY — THE    SUMMER    SERVICE — 

I^PKDITION  AGAINST  YORK  AND  ITS  GOOD  FRUITS— THE   PLAN  TO  SEIZB 

^  INGSTON   AND   MONTREAL — DEPARTURE   OP   THE  ARMY — SCOTT  REMAINS 

FORT    OEOUGE — ENEMy'S    ABANDONMENT     OP    "  THE     PENINSULA*' — 

tt's  March  to  sackett's  harbor  to  join  the  main  army — 
pleasant  circumstances  attending  it — joins  the  army  singly — 
illiant  services^in  tub  campaign  op  the  st.  lawrence. 

I  prisoners  m«)  .jITinfield  Scott  again  found  himself  on  the  frontier,  early 
icluded,  Scott  UiiiMay  (1813).  He  was  chosen  chief  of  the  staff  of  General 
visit  Europe  B^boni — assuming  the  office  of  Adjutant-General — though 
k  city,  one  dai  lia.»xeserved  the  right  to  a  command  of  his  own  regiment  in 
his  ears  wen  cfl||e  of  special  or  extraordinary  service.  The  staff  was  com- 
bustle,  on  on  poied  chiefly  of  officers  new  to  that  service.  This  threw 
ed  on  the  pie;  i^n  the  Adjutant  almost  the  entire  duty  of  organization  of 
in  irons  fron  d«|>artments— a  duty  which  he  discharged  with  great  thorough- 
rpool  packet-  nttte.  It  was  all  needed,  for  the  campaign  to  follow  was  one 
lent ;  and  thei  requiring  the  resources  of  discipline,  efficiency  and  strength.  ,^ 
as.  Scott  hai  Fort  George,  although  within  cannon-shot  of  the  American 
recognized  b'Fort  Niagara,  opposite,  was  held  by  the  British.  General 
is  side.  The;  Dfiirborn  resolved  upon  its  possession,  in  order  to  command 
ry  feet  in  thei  aHm  approaches  to  Queenstown,  which  it  was  the  wish  of  the 
deeply  moved  JlRliericans  to  seize  and  hold  as  a  strategicoT  and  defensive 
'  behalf.  Tw  jpBition.  Add  to  this  Fort  Erie,  opposite  Buffalo,  and  the 
iHTJiole  Niagara  frontier  would  be  used  as  the  base  of  operations 


• 


f — 


M 


THE   LIFE   OF   WINFTELD   BCOTT. 


in  the  further  conquest  of  Canada— a  design  fully  determin* 
upon  by  our  Government.  General  Pike,  aided  by  Comni 
dore  Chauuccy  v/ith  the  Ontario  Lake  fleet,  had  gallani 
captured  York  (Toronto)  with  its  entire  garrison,  immci; 
stores,  etc.*  Having  secured  prisoners,  munitions,  goods,  a: 
destroyed  the  British  naval  materiel  designed  for  the  format!' 
of  a  fleet  with  which  to  cope  with  Chauncey,  the  place  -n 
evacuated..  This  gave  to  General  Dearborn  a  force  adeqii;: 
to  the  reduction  of  Forts  George  and  Erie,  and  dispositk 
was  made  for  the  attempt  on  Fort  George. 

On  the  morning  early  (May  27tli)  the  fleet  and  transpor  ^i 
stood  out  from  the  American  shore  of  Lake  Ontario,  j': 
below  Fort  Niagara.  The  fleet  consisted  of  eleven  sail,  a: 
also  included  several  gun-boats,  with  transports  for  six  re, 
ments.  To  Scott  was  confided  the  post  of  honor — leading  {. 
advance-guard,  or  forlorn  hope.  He  was  followed  by  Color. 
Moses  Porter's  artillery,  then  by  the  brigades  of  Generals  Boy 
Winder,  Chandler,  and  Colonel  Macomb's  corps  of  pick 
men.  The  vessels  and  gun-boats  of  the  squadron  drew 
within  musket-shot  distance  of  the  shore,  from  about  half 
mile  below  and  west  of  the  mouth  of  the  Niagara  river,  up 
Fort  George,  which  it  actively  engaged.  The  British,  und 
command  of  General  Vincent,  had  drawn  up  in  double  lint 
twelve  hundred  regulars  strong — having  a"  high  bank  in  froi 
The  landing  was  effected  under  a  severe  fire,  but  the  fleet  ai 
boats  so  covered  the  movement,  by  their  well-directed  sIk 
that  the  troops  succeeded  in  securing  a  safe  debarkation,  1 
nine  o'clock,  a.  m.  C^tain  Oliver  Hazard  Perry — afterwir 
Commodore — rendered  most  admirable  services  on  the  oc( 
sion,  exercising  his  great  skill  in  marine  matters  with  hapi 
results.  When  the  American  advance  had  secured  a  footlio! 
the  line  was  immediately,  formed  and  the  charge  made  on  ti 
s  ongly  disposed  British  lines.  It  was  repulsed  by  the  furid 
f.j  of  the  enemy,  and  Scott,  trying  to  steady  his  nv 
stumbled  and  fell  upon  the  beach.  General  Dearborn,  f'o 
the  flag-ship  Madison^  was  watching  him  with  a  glass.     Secii 

*  The  capture  M'as  a  valuable  one  not  only  in  respect  to  stores  but 
tbe  ba<:gap;e,  papers,  etc.,  of  General  Shoafl'o  were  eecnrctl.  The  bri 
Pike  was  killed  in  the  moment  by  the  explosion  of  a  mine,  which  ii 
mxirdered  many  valuable  men  and  officers.  The  explosion  occurred  of 
the  capitulation,  and  is  generally  supposed  to  have  been  a  plan  to  blow; 
the  American  forces  entire. 


tile 


« 
Colo) 

Stall  r 

Gen^ 
not 

dra^^| 

coiuf 


ii 


TAKING   OF    FORT    GKOlfGE. 


27 


lly  dctermiiK, 
fd  by  Comni 
had  gallani 
lison,  immcii 
)ns,  goods,  a: 
the  formatk 
the  place  ^ 
I  force  adeqii:: 
xnd  dispositii 

and  transpoi 

Ontario,  j' 

leven  sail,  a: 

•ts  for  six  rc; 

or — leading  t; 

wed  by  Color. 

Generals  Boy 

}orps  of  pick 

ladron  drew 

>m  about  half 

;ara  river,  up 

c  British,  unci 

in  double  ]iii 

h  bank  in  froi 

)ut  the  fleet  ar 

U-directed  slu 

debarkation, : . 

•erry — afterw;i 

les  on  the  oc( 

ters  with  hapi 

jured  a  footho! 

•ge  made  on  tl 

id  by  the  furin 

teady  his   nif 

Dearborn,  f'o 

i  glass.     Secii 

ct  to  Btoros  but 
!curc(l.    The  bri 
V  mine,  which  ii 
sioii  occurred  of 
1  a  plan  to  blow' 


|e  leader  fiill  he  is  reported  to  have  burst  into  tears,  exclaim- 
'*  He  is  lost  1     He  is  killed !"     But,  the  panic  was  only 

lomentary.  Recovering  from  the  fall  Colonel  Scott  rallied 
men,  and  dashed  forward  upon  the  enemy  with  terrible 
Ittry,  Gaining  a  good  position,  he  held  his  ground,  when  a 
Ijjlort  but  desperate  fight  ensued.  Twenty  minutes  served  to 
ibut  the  British  lines,  upon  all  sides.     They  fled  for  the 

llage,  half  a  mile  away.  Having  now  been  joined  by  part 
Boyd's  brigade  and  a  regiment  of  infantry  under  Colonel 
Miller,  a  hot  pursuit  of  the  flying  enemy  was  immediately 
made.  Passing  Fort  George*two  companies  were  headed  by 
ipott  to  save  it  from  being  blown  up  by  the  decampiing  garrison. 
When  near  the  fort  a  magazine  exploded,  causing  some  destruc- 
Ippn,  and  imperiling  the  advancing  troop.  Scott  was  knocked 
Boni  his  horse  and  considerably  bruised,  but  hurried  the  men 
oa,  forced  the  gate  and  was  first  within  the  walls.  His  own 
hand*  struck  the  British  flag.  Captains  Hindman  and  Stockton, 
at  imminent  risk  of  their  lives,  snatched  the  matches  from  the 
magazines,  and  thus  saved  the  fort  entire.  This  accomplished, 
%e  companies  hastened  on  after  the  main  body,  which  was 
IBlon  regained  and  the  enemy  chased  fully  five  miles  up  stream. 
fk>  impetuous  was  this  pursuit  that  Scott  had  disregarded  two 
tirders  for  his  return,  feeling  thus  warranted  by  the  prospect 
of  having  the  enemy  soon  in  his  power.  General  Boyd 
|fistened  after  him,  in  person,  and  stayed  the  pursuit,  acting 
ittidcr  the  orders  of  General  Dearborn,  who  feared  to  trust 
another  close  conflict,  Scott  called  oft"  his  men,  and  returned, 
T|fitli  the  deepest  regret.  The  British  main  line  was  in  full 
light,  and  with  the  fine  force  at  his  disposal,  he  felt  sure  of  a 
Jlfcccessful  issue  of  a  second  battle,  which  would  give  him 
|»sscssion  of  those  heights  at  Queenstown  where  he  had  seen 
iHch  hard  service,  the  previous  year. 
*^'^  General  Dearborn's   and   Commodore  Chauncey's  official 

♦  Brackenbridje  pays,  in  his  Hii^tory  of  the  War :—"  General  Boyd  and 
(folonel  Scott  mounted  the  parapet,  lor  the  purpose  of  cutting  away  the 
•tail';  but  Hindman  succeeded  in  taking  the  flag,  which  he  forwarded  to 
General  Dearborn."  A  mistake  in  two  respects,  viz. : — General  Boyd  waa 
liot  in  the  fort,  at  the  moment  mentioned,  and  liindnian  took  the  Hag 
deaAvn  down  by  Scott,  with  orders  to  have  it  sent  to  the  General.  Colonel 
Porter,  of  the  artillery,  hastened  up  to  take  possession  of  the  fort  and  flag, 
nit,  tiuding  Scott  already  there,  he  exclaimed:  ''  Confound  your  long  legs, 
llyott,  yoa  have  got  in  before  mel"  and  turned  to  hurry  on  after  His 
company. 


^% 


28 


THE   LIFE   OF   WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


i 


ii< 


hi 


III   . 


II  i 


reports  to  their  respective  Departments,  made  particular  mei 
tion  of  Scott's  and  Boyd's  services.  Although  too  ill  to  lau 
with  his  army,  General  Dearborn  retained  the  command-ir 
chief  and  gave  his  orders  from  a  couch  on  the  deck  of  tli 
Madison.  He  reported  the  American  loss  as  17  killed,  4 
woundcfd.  The  British  loss  was  90  killed,  160  wounded  at  '^ 
100  prisoners. 

The  main  body  of  the  army  held  position  at  Fort  Geor;  ^^' 
during  the  next  three  months.  Special  services  were  pe^*^ 
formed  by  Generals  Winder  and  Chandler.  They  desired 
pursue  the  British  under  Vincent,  who  had  retreated  towar ' 
Fort  Erie.  The  expedition  was  most  unfortunate — both  t 
the  Generals,  and  a  few  of  their  troops,  falling  into  the  hanc 
of  the  enemy.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Boerstler,  with  600  nie:' 
essayed  to  take  the  Britisli  post  at  Beaver  Dam,  seventetv -^ 
miles  from  Fort  George.  He  was  surrounded  by  a  large!  ;M 
superior  force  of  British  and  Indians,  and,  after  a  severe  ar^r^ 
protracted  engagement,  compelled  to  surrender  (June  24th ^^*|^ 
Colonel  Scott  during  these  three  months  was  not  inactlY^^*^ 
His  chief  service  was  in  covering  foraging  parties,  which,  ^^^,| 
times,  presented  opportunities  for  spirited  fighting.  Tl^ 
enemy  at  Queenstown  was  watched  so  closely  that  he  scarce; 
obtained  a  load  of  forage,  while  the  Americans  were  y<'^\^.,: 
supplied.  ^'^^ 

But,  this  petty  warfore  annoyed  Scott,  and,  being  promott|j 

to  the  command  of  a  double  regiment  (twenty  companies), 

July  (1813)  he  resigned  his  Adjutant-Generalship,  to  J^rrai;*^^ 

for  active  field  duty.     His   regiment  was  very  thorougli^W^ 

drilled,  and  became,  in  a  brief  period,  very  efficient  and  rcu^' 

for  almost  any  enterprise.     Scott  then  conceived  an  expeditii^* 

against  Burlington  Heights,  at  the  western  head  of  La^^] 

Ontario.     It  was  supposed  to  be  in  possession  of  the  enciii 

who  had  there  centered  large  stores  of  munitions,  provisior.^^ 

etc.     The  design  for  its  capture  was  approved  by  General 

Lewis  ;*    and   Scott,  with  his  troops,  was  taken  on  boii^l"  fl 

Commodore  Chauncey's  fleet  for  transportation.     No  encir  *®  I 

was  found  at  the  fort,  and,  not  to  render  the  expediti'f 

;he 

•  The  army  at  and  around  Fort  George  changed  commandB  rnpiiljjij 
during  the  Bummer.    General  Dearborn,  owing  to  his  contiuued  illm 
retired  from  service,  to  be  succeeded  by  General  Lewis,  Lewis  by  Gcuc 
Boyd,  Boyd  by  WiHsinson. 


PLAN   TO   SEIZE   MONTREAL 


29 


)art4cular  mei 

too  ill  to  hw 

le  command-h 

lie  deck  of  tl; 

17  killed,  \ 

|0  wounded  an 

at  Fort  Qeorc 
ices  were  pe 
They  desired  i  ^ 
etreated  towai 
tunate — both  c 
g  into  the  hant 
r,  with  600  mc: 
Dam,  seventet 


tless,  a  second  descent  was  made  upon  York  (Toronto)— 

eh,  since  its-  capture  by  General  Pike  and  abandonpient, 
been  retaken  by  the  British,  and  was  made  the  dep6t  of 
stores,  as  well  as  the  rendezvous  for  American  prisoners 

lerstler's  regiment).    A  landing  was  effected,  under  Scott's 

mand,  and  the  design  of  the  descent  entirely  accomplished. 

rstler's  men  were  released.  The  public  depot  was  burnt, 
|thcr  with  the  entire  range  of  barracks.     Large  quantities 

lo thing  and  provisions  were  secured,  and  eleven  armed 
3  also  taken,  which  were  loaded  down  with  the  stores 
d.  Much  ammunition,  including  several  pieces  of  cannon, 
transported  to  the  fleet.  All  this  having  been  safely 
ted,  the  Americans  withdrew — as  Scott  afterAvard  remarked 

dto  give  General  Sheaffe  another  opportunity  for  supplying 

American  camp." 


\o\  bv  a  lavoei    'Jlb^^^  success  inspired  the  General  commanding,  Wilkinson, 

aL  „   o.^r^vn  ''nr^M    thC     Idca     Of 


fter  a  severe  ar. 


c%m^ 


a  descent  on  Kingston  and  Montreal, 
der  (June  2411.^***!"^^^^'^  ^^^^  ^^^^  become  so  thoroughly  manned  and 
tviq  not  inactiv®^^^^^'  under  his  able  management,  that  it  was  fully  quali- 
vt'es  which  ^^.^^^  ^"^^^  ^  P^^^  ^^  ^^  must  play  in  the  attempt;  and  a 
fl  fio-htino"  Tt^'^ffi^"^^^^^^'^  ^^  forces  and  concentration  of  materiel  at  some 
V  that  he'scarce^^^^^^^  point  of  debarkation  was  all  that  was  necessary  to 
ricans  were  wf^^MF^^  ^^^^  movement  for  the  actual  conquest  of  Canada — 
tii^e  two  cities  being  the  keys  to  the  upper  province. 

ckett's  Harbor  was  chosen  for  the  base  of  operations, 
e  the  army  rendezvoused,  and  all  arrangements  •  were 
ctcd  for  the  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  campaign. 
r-General  Hampton  was  ordered  to  co-operate,  with  his 
e  division.  Wilkinson  embarked  with  the  army  of  occu- 
n  then  on  the  Niagara — leaving  Scott  to  hold  Fort 
head  of"  T-v^^^^^'  ^"^  *^^^^  *°  defend  the  key  to  the  peninsula  of 
•ion  of  the  encni'^^ilP'^^^""^  "^'^^*'  "important  territory  for  the  Americans  to 
nitions  Tirovisioi:'^''^!^'  ^^^tt,  as  the  first  captor  of  the  fort,  was  entitled  to  its 
iroved  bv  Genci^^^il^^^*  ^^^  ^^'-^^  proud  of  the  honor,  and  set  about  putting 
tak-^n  on  ijoa^^!^  ^^^^  ^^^^*' ^^^^"^"^^^^^  ^^'^^^^'-  After  Wilkinson's  departure, 
No  encif^®'"^^^*^^^^^'  ^^'*^^'^  expected  to  assail  the  post  at  any  moment, 
tlie  expeditit^'**^^^^^  ^'^^"*^^-  ^^7  ''^"^  "^Sl»t  the  work  of  strengthening 
;he  position  was  prosecuted  by  officers  and  men,  until,  at  the 

i^hi'^^contiSne/mne^'S  °^  ^  "^^^^^'  ^^  "^^^  ^^^^7  ^^^  ^"^  ^^^^^  "^  attack. 

wis,  Lewis  by  Gcuc:  'dit  the  end  of  that  time  (October  9th)  the  enemy,  instead  of 


d,  being  promott 
Qty  companies), 
■alship,  to  arrar.^ 
very  thorough 
3fficient  and  rcin 
ived  an  expediti 


I 

ation 
ier 


do 


THE   LIFE   OP   WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


i' 


! 


'   ■  'k! 


falling  upon  Fort  George,  broke  up  camp,  and,  with  all 
his  disposable  field  forces,  moved  off  toward  the  head  of 
Lake  Ontario,  evidently  en  route  for  Kingston.  This  step 
gave  Scott  a  release,  for  his  instructions  authorized  him,  in 
event  of  such  a  movement  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  to  leave 
the  post  in  command  of  Brigadier-General  McClure,  of  the 
New  York  militia,  then  in  command  of  Fert  Niagara,  oppo- 
site. He  was  instructed  to  join  "Wilkinson,  with  his  forces, 
for  active  operations  in  the  campaign.  The  fleet  was  to  be 
sent  to  transport  the  troops.  Scott  immediately  took  steps 
to  carry  out  instructions.  He  wrote  a  communication  to 
Wilkinson,  giving  the  news  of  the  enemy's  movements,  and 
stating  facts  which  were  well  calculated  to  make  Wilkinson 
glad  of  the  acquisition  of  such  a  force  as  Scott  would  bring 
into  the  field.     He  then  advised  the  General : — 

"I  propose  taking  up  my  line  of  march  on  the  morning  of 
the  13th  (October)  for  the  mouth  of  the  Genesee  river,  and 
there  await  the  arrival  of  the  vessels  you  are  good  enough  to 
promise  me.  By  this  movement  Captain  Mix  thinks  with  me, 
tliat  I  shall  hasten  my  arrival  at  Sackett's  Harbor  five,  possibly 
ten  days.  Captain  Camp*  (the  Quartermaster)  has  a  sufficient 
number  of  wagons  to  take  me  thither.  I  can  easily  make  that 
place  by  the  evening  of  the  15th." 

That  march  from  Fort  George  was  an  unpleasant  affair, 
Proceeding  to  Genesee  river,  he  there  received  advices  from 
Commodore  Chauncey  that  he  was  ready  for  the  transport 
service,  but  that  Wilkinson  had  positively  forbidden  the  fleet 
to  proceed  upon  any  service  which  would  require  an  absence 
of  four  days.  This  left  no  alternative  for  a  weary,  distressing 
march  by  foot,  through  forests  and  morasses,  to  Sackett's 
Harbor.  Considering  that  Scott  had  not  come  prepared  for 
Buch  a  tramp — that  he  had  with  him  his  convalescing  sick 
and  wounded  whom  he  designed  to  leave  at  Sackett's  Harbor 
— that  the  roads,  owing  to  the  incessant  rains,  were  in  a  very 
bad  condition — it  may  well  be  surmised  that  this  disappoint- 
ment was  one  calculated  to  excite  any  thing  but  agreeable 
feelin":3. 


*  Captain  Camp— afterward  Major— died  at  Sandasky,  Ohio,  in  185f). 

[e  was  a  man  of  good  military  capacity,  and  of  undoubted  field  courage, 

to  whom  Scott  became  much  attached.    When  running  for  the  presidency 


He  was  a  man  of  good  military  capacity,  and  of  undoubted  field  courage 
to  whom  Scott  became  much  attached.  When  running  for  the  presidency 
he  made  it  a  point  to  tarry  over  the  Sabbath  In  Saiidusliy,  at  the  residenco 

*xf  XTo^/M.  r^ovMT^         Tf    la    nnn/ll Acad    f#\  an-ir  fVio  tivrs  n\t\    an^r\lat*a  **  ^VkTIfrVlf.    ♦H/»if 


of  Major  Canip.    It  is  needless  to  say  the  two  old  floldiers 
battles  over  again,"  by  the  fireside 


fought  their 


■■■* 


CAMPAIGN    OP   THE    ST.    LAWRENCE. 


81 


d,   with  all 

he  head  of 

This  step 

izecl  him,  in 

my,  to  leave 

llure,  of  the 

lagara,  oppo- 

his  forces, 

et  was  to  be 

y  took  steps 

unication   to 

vements,  and 

:e  Wilkinson 

would  brinj 

e  morning  of 
ee  river,  and 
3od  enough  to 
inks  with  me, 
'  five,  possibly 
as  a  sufficient 
3ily  make  that 

leasant  affair, 
advices  from 
the  transport 
dden  the  fleet 
ire  an  absence 
try,  distressing 
,  to  Sackett's 
B  prepared  for 
valescing  sick 
ckett's  Harbor 
vere  in  a  very 
lis  disappoint- 
but  agreeable 


r,  Ohio,  in  1850. 
ed  field  courage, 
»r  the  presidency 
,  at  the  residence 
rs  '•  fought  their 


But,  there  was  not  time  for  hesitancy.  The  march  was 
itered  upon  at  once,  by  way  of  Canandaigua  and  Utica.* 
Hien  near  the  latter  place,  Scott  was  gladdened  by  meeting 
ritli  tlie  Secretary  of  War,  General  Armstrong,  from  whom 
|e  obtained  permission  to  leave  his  troops,  while  he  should 
irry  on  alone  to  join  the  army  at  any  point.  Giving  over 
Is  command  to  the  excellent  Major  Hindman,  he  started 
ir  the  head-quarters  of  General  Wilkinson.  After  a  verj'- 
||itiguing  journey,  through  rain  and  mud,  he  reached  Ogdens- 
||Urg  Nov.  Gth,  beyond  which  place  the  army  was  just  moving. 
The  British  supposed  the  point  of  attack  to  be  Kingston ; 
mce  had  concentrated  heavy  bodies  of  troops  in  its  vicinity, 
id  had  anchored  heavy  batteries  along  the  river  to  command 
|e  ai)proaching  fleet.  As  the  game  was  Montreal,  the  gauntlet 
batteries  had  to  be  run.  Scott  was  in  the  leading  and 
largest  boat  of  the  flotilla,  to  pilot  it  through.  It  led  the 
van  fearlessly  and  safely  notwithstanding  the  heavy  fire  upon 
it.  During  the  passage  of  the  flotilla  down  the  river,  Scott 
commanded  the  advance-guard,  having  been  given  command 
(tTov.  7th)  of  a  choice  battalion  in  Colonel  McComb's  regiment 
&i  chosen  men. 

'^  The  action  (Nov.  11th)  at  Chrysler's  farm  (Chrystler's  field) 
^s  only  participated  in  by  the  rear  division  (Boyd's)  of  the 
army.  The  advance  under  Scott  was  forcing,  at  the  same 
]^oment,  a  passage  of  the  Hoophole  creek,  which  was  obsti- 
^tely  opposed  by  a  strong  body  of  the  enemy.  The  Americans 
landed  above  the  British,  drove  them  from  their  positions, 
captured  a  number  of  prisoners  and  then  went  on  their  way. 
M  similar  service  was  performed,  the  day  previous,  at  Fort 
IMEatilda,  which  the  British  had  throAvn  up  to  command  the  St. 
t^wrence  in  its  narrowest  channel.  The  American  advance 
llMided,  carried  the  fort  at  the  bayonet's  point,  captured  a 
niwnber  of  prisoners — among  them  one  officer — and  kept  the 
enemy  at  a  distance  by  their  own  guns  until  the  flotilla  had 
safely  passed. 

All  this  spirited  conduct  of  officers  and  men  augured  well 
for  a  happy  result.  What  was  the  astonishment  of  the  army, 
then,  to  receive  orders  on  the  12tli  for  a  retreat !  In  the  very 
nioment  of  victory  the  expedition  of  conquest  was  abandoned  I 

*  Soc  Scott's  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  (Dec.  13th,  1813.) 


83 


THE    LIFE    OF  WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


I  Id 


;!i 


I   1  ^!!! 


^.i 


I  '  'i'fi, 


■I    ;^  ;    J; 


•ii   ii  i 


1'!; 


i!'. 


The  advance  was  now  in  full  command  of  the  approaches  to 
Montreal — nothing  could  prevent  the  capture  of  the  city.  The 
expedition  had  moved  with  such  celerity  that  the  troops  cen- 
tered at  Kingston  could  not  reach  the  lower  city  in  time 
to  afford  any  relief.  Only  four  hundred  marines  and  about 
two  hundred  sailors  were  there  Nov.  4th,  for  the  defense  of  • 
the  city,  as  Wilkinson  confesses  he  was  advised.  The  British 
had  given  up  all  as  lost.  The  bugle-note  of  retreat  was  as 
surprising  to  them  as  it  was  astounding  to  the  ai'my  of 
invasion  and  humiliating  to  the  country. 

The  excuse  for  this  retreat,  offered  by  Wilkinson,  was  tlie 
refusal  of  General  Hampton  to  add  his  forces  to  the  expedi- 
tion, as  ordered.  As  it  was  apparent  that  Hampton's  forces 
were  7wt  actually  necessary  to  the  success  of  the  movement 
on  Montreal,  the  excuse  did  not  satisfy  the  army  or  the 
people : — all  were  not  only  deeply  mortified  at  the  desertion 
of  the  enterprise,  but  were  angered  at  the  authorities  for 
having  given  so  important  a  command  to  Wilkinson.  He 
ended  his  "conquest"  by  going  into  winter-quarters  at  French's 
Mills,  on  Salmon  river — the  estimation  of  the  whole  country 
descending  as  rapidly  toward  the  point  of  contempt  as  tLt 
thermometer  toward  zero.  ■   * 

A  sad  close  to  the  campaign  of  the  Army  of  the  North  for 
the  year !  Begun  so  brilliantly  by  General  Pike,  followed  uf 
by  Commodore  Chauncey's  spirited  exploits,  and  the  capturt 
of  Fort  George,  the  country  expected  much  in  the  -crowning 
act  of  the  year.     It  expected  in  vain. 


CHAPTER    V. 

COMMISSIONED  liRIGADIER-GKVERAL — FOUMS  A  CAMP  OP  INSTRUCTION  A! 
BUFFALO — ITS  RESULTS — THE  CAMPAIGN  OPENED — CAPTUHB  OF  FOI',' 
ERIE — SCOTT'S  brigade  CELEBRATES  THB  FOURTH  OF  JULY — DRIVE: 
THE  MARQUIS  OP  TWEEDALB  BACK  UPON  THE  CHIPPEWA — BATTLE  Di 
CHIPPEWA   PLAINS,  JULY  5Ta — ITS   DETAILS,   AND   ITS   RESULTS. 

To  bring  an  army  into  the  field  capable  of  prosecuting  tlii 
war  with  vigor  was  the  wish  of  Government.  The  disastroi. 
termination  of  the  enterprise  under  Wilkinson  had,  to  soui 
extent,  dejnoralized  the  spirit  of  the  army.     It  was  necessan 


inhl 
Eril 


CAPTURE    OF   FORT   ERIE. 


33 


Iproacliea  to 

city.    The 

troops  cen- 

[ity  in  time 
and  about 
defense  of  > 
Tlie  British 

[treat  was  as 

(he  army  of 

son,  was  the 
•o  the  expedi- 
ipton's  forces 
le  raovemtnt 
army  or  tht 

tlie  desertion 
luthorities  for 
ilkinson.  He 
ers  at  French's 
whole  country 
ntempt  as  tk 

:  the  North  for 
ke,  followed  up 
,nd  the  capture 
n  the  -crowning 


)F  INSTRUCTION  A' 
CAPTURE  OF  FOIV 
OF  JULY — DRIVE 
'PEWA — UATTLK  Ci 
1   RESULTS. 

prosecuting  tin 

The  disastroi! 

ju  had,  to  soni 

;t  was  necessan 


tierefore,  to  reconstruct  the  forces,  in  a  large  degree,  of  new 
vies,  to  whom  would  be  confided  the  campaign  for  1814. 
"to  Scott  was  committed  this  duty  of  organization  and  re- 
(Bonstruction.  Co-operating  with  Governor  Tompkins  he  suc- 
<ifeetled  in  calling  into  the  field  a  reliable  force,  which,  after 
the  American  evacuation  of  winter-quarters  at  French's  Mill, 
#03  centered  at  Buffalo.  Thitlier  Scott  repaired,  by  orders 
frf  Major-General  Brown,  to  form  a  "  camp  of  instruction,"  in 
#hicli  the  American  army — both  officers  and  men — should  be 
di'illed  and  disciplined  to  the  utmost  perfection  of  the  tactics 
iflopted  by  tlie  French  army. 

•  May  9th,  Colonel  Scott  was  commissioned  Brigadier-Gen- 
||al.  The  order  to  repair  to  Buffalo  gave  him  command, 
Herefore,  of  that  division  of  the  army,  composed  of  the  brig- 
iies  of  Porter  (militia),  Ripley  (regulars)  and  his  own  (regulars, 
Hit  chiefly  new  recruits) ;  together  with  Hindman's  battalion 
<8f  artillery.*  , 

The  months  of  April,  May  and  June  were  spent  in  camp. 
The  course  of  instruction  adopted  was  that  of  the  French 
Aimy.  But  one  copy  of  its  Manual  of  Tactics  was  in  the 
<|j|itaip — that  belonging  to  General  Scott.  All  studied  from  it. 
8^tt  would  drill  his  staff  and  general  officers — these  would 
41411    the   grades  below,  and   they,   in    turn,  the    non-com- 

issioned  officers  and  privates.     All  was   system,  thorough 
rigid ;  and  every  man,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest, 
the  spirit  of  a  true  military  enthusiasm  glowing  in  his 
Bieast. 

In  the  latter  part  of  June,  Major-General  Brown  appeared 
<rt  the  camp.  Pie  was  surprised  aud  delighted  at  the  efficiency 
displayed  by  the  troops,  and  immediately  entered  upon  a  stir- 
riilg  campaign — one  well  calculated  to  test  the  soldierly 
ilities  of  every  man. 

>n   the  morning  of  July  3d,  the  first  movements  were 
Idated  by  a  sudden  descent  upon  the  British  post,  Fort 

ie,  commanding  the  entrance  of  the  Niagara  river.     Scott's 

,  •^cott's  own  brigade  consisted  of  the  bottiilions  of  the  9th,  11th  and  25th 
"nments  of  infantry,  witli  a  detachment  of  the  2iJd.  and  Toweon's 
lllery.  General  Kipley's  brigade  was  made  up  of  the  1st,  2l8t,  and  2.3d 
jntry.  General  Porter's  brigade  was  composed  of  the  several  bodies 
nilitia  known  as  the  Canadian,  the  New  York,  and  the  Pennsylvania 
mtcers.  The  service  rendered  by  Ihcso  troops  in  the  summer  cam- 
ju  deserves  their  Kpociul  meution  at  the  hands  of  the  historian. 


Ill 


'f  'I 


84 


THE   LIFE    OF   WINFIELD   SCOTT.. 


brigade,  with  Major  Ilindmaii's  artillery,  crossed  the  river 
below  the  fort,  wliile  General  Ripley's  brigade  crossed  above, 
The  movement  was  a  surprise  to  the  enemy.  Captain  Buck, 
commanding  the  fort,  liad  time  only  for  a  few  shots  ere  liin 
post  was  completely  surrounded.  Ho  surrendered,  unconili. 
tionally,  when  an  American  garrison  occupied  the  post. 

A  forward  movement  was  then  ordered,  upon  General 
Riall,  strongly  encamped  on  the  Chippewa  river,  below.  Scott, 
as  usual,  was  placed  on  the  advance.  July  4lh  he  celebrated 
by  a  running  •  fight,  of  sixteen  miles,  with  the  Marquis  of 
Tweedale.  The  Marquis,  with  his  European  veterans,  was 
driven  before  the  furious  and  fast  brigade,  and,  much  to  his 
own  surprise,  was  compelled  to  fall  back,  across  the  Chii)- 
pewa  river,  upon  the  main  bod)\  The  Americans  halted  lor 
the  night  and  took  up  a  good  position  on  the  right  bank  of 
Street's  creek,  two  miles  above  the  British  camp.  That  twu 
miles  was  over  a  plain  admirably  adapted  for  the  maneuver^ 
of  contending  armies.  It  was  destined  to  receive  its  baptism 
of  blood. 

During  the  afternoon  and  evening  the  brigade  of  General 
Ripley  came  up,  together  with  Porter's  volunteers  and  Major 
Hindman's  artillery  (tield  and  park).  On  the  morning  of  the 
5th,  the  enemy  sent  forward  scouting  and  reconnoiteriii;' 
parties,  and  several  very  sharp  engagements  were  made  with 
the  picket-guards  of  the  American  camp.  This  did  not,  how- 
ever, draw  the  American  forces  to  the  field.  General  Riuli 
resolved  therefore,  to  press  a  general  engagement.  At  four 
o'clock  he  advanced  over  the  Chippewa,  with  his  entire  army, 
composed  of  very  choice  troops,  many  of  whom  had  served 
against  Napoleon,  in  Eurojie. 

A  wood  to  the  left  of  the  American  position  stretched  fron, 
Street's  creek  to  Chippewa.  Into  this  the  British  commando: 
threw  a  considerable  force  (his  right  wing)  to  press  forwun 
unseen  and  thus  surprise  the  American  left.  It  Avas  detectoi: 
by  the  wily  old  General,  Brown  ;  and  Porter,  with  his  volun 
teers  and  a  body  of  Indians  (Six  Nations),  was  precipitateii 
upon  the  enemy  with  such  spirit  and  force  as  to  compel  tlu 
entire  right  of  General  Riall  to  retire.  Porter  continued  tlie 
pursuit,  along  the  main  road,  until  he  suddenly  came  upoi; 
the  main  body.     The  volunteers  were  instantly  hotly  pressed 


M 


* 
drill 
erefi 

th0| 


'^■ 


Tim    ENEMY    ilETIIlES. 


85 


•ight  bank  of 


That  twd 
maneuver^ 
ve  its  baptism 


IP- 
le 


le  of  Geneiiil 
jers  and  Major 
Qorning  of  the 
reconnoiterin,:: 
BFC  made  willi 
did  not,  how- 
General  Riiili 
lent.  At  four 
s  entire  army. 
>m  had  served 

stretched  froii 

ish  coramandc: 

press  forwun 

[t  was  detectt'ii 

with  his  volun 

as  precipitated 

to  compel  till 

continued  tlic 

nly  came  upon 

y  hotly  pressed 


|v  the  Britisli  and  suirorcd  so  severely  as  to  be  driven  back  to 
||c  creek.  Brown  then  ordered  Scott  forward  to  tlie  action, 
lilth  his  entire  brigade,  and  Towson's  artillery.*  lie  moved 
listiintly,  and,  crossing  the  bridge  of  the  creek,  deployed  iuto 
Jjkc  of  battle.  The  lirst  battalion,  under  Major  Leavenworth 
took  the  right.  The  second  battalion  was  led  by  Colonel 
Obmpbell,  who,  being  wounded  at  an  early  moment,  was  bug- 
Oieded  by  Major  McNeil.  The  third  battalion  was  given  the 
lift,  resting  upon  the  wood.  It  was  commanded  by  Major 
JGesiip,  whose  orders  were  to  turn  the  enemy's  right  liauk, 
tjpen  coming  steadily  forward  upon  the  American  lines, 
hile  warmly  engaged  in  this  service,"  says  Brackcnridge, 

e  was  compelled  to  detach   Captain   Ketchum  to  attack 
e  troops  coming  up  to  the  assistance  of  the  main  body, 

til  which  the  third  battalion  was  engaged.  The  Major, 
lUkving  cleared  his  front,  moved  to  the  relief  of  his  Captain,  who 
liad  maintained  an  uneqn?il  contest  against  superior  numbers. 

"He  had  not  accomplished  this  until  after  a  severe  struggle : 
being  closely  pressed  in  front  and  flank,  and  his  men  falling 
ia  numbers  around  him,  he  had  deliberately  given  orders  to 
ailvance,  under  a  dreadful  fire ;  until,  gaining  a  position  of 
l|(0re  security,  he  compelled  the  enemy  to  retire,  and  came  up 
it|  time  to  co-operate  with  Captain  Ketchum's  detachment. 
^e  admirable  coolness  and  intrepidity  of  his  corps  were 
l^rthy  of  veterans,  and  proved  the  great  progress  the  Ameri- 
Oins  had  made  in  discipline.  The  battalion  on  the  American 
t||ht,  under  Major  Leavenworth,  was  not  only  engaged  with 
tlib  British  infantry,  but  often  exposed  to  the  fire  of  their  bat- 
1)0|ies.  One  of  its  officers,  Captain  Harrison,  had  his  leg  shot 
off  by  a  cannon-ball ;  but  so  doubtful  did  he  consider  the 
contest,  that  he  would  not  suffer  a  man  to  be  taken  from  his 
dti^y  to  bear  him  from  the  field,  and  supported  the  torture  of 
hl^  wound  until  the  action  ceased.  After  the  lapse  of  an 
hi^r  from  the  time  the  action  became  general.  Captain  Towson 
haidng  completely  silenced  the  enemy's  most  powerful  bat- 
tel^, now  turned  upon  their  infantry  at  that  moment  advancing 

C' 

f  Manafteld  states  that  Scott  was  takinsj  his  men  out  on  the  plain  for 
tfRil,  and  was  ignorant  of  the  enemy's  advance.  At  the  bridge  over  the 
cuaek  he  met  General  Brown,  who  isim])ly  naid  :  "The  enemy  is  advanc- 
lofc  you  will  have  a  flglit,"  and  pass*ed  on  to  General  Ripley's  brigade  in 
^i  rear.  Mansfield  adds  tliat,  boyond  this  remark,  Scott  received  no 
fBfther  orders  during  the  day.    All  a  mistake,  wo  must  think. 


•m— 


86 


THE   LIFE   OF    WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


to  a  clmrgo.  Tlie  llro  from  TowHon's  artillery,  which  poured 
upon  them  ;  the  ohlicinc  discljargcs  of  a  part  of  McNeil's  but- 
talion,  which  was  so  posted  as  to  assail  both  front  and  flank; 
Iho  steadiness  of  the  two  battalions;  and  the  apparent  issiu 
of  the  contest  on  his  ris^ht  Hank  with  ]\Iajor  Jesup,  conipellc! 
General  lliall  to  retire,  until  he  reached  the  sloping  ground 
which  led  to  Chippewa.  From  this  point  the  British  fled  in 
confusion  to  their  intrenchmcnts,  which  were  too  strong  to  h 
assailed." 

This  account  substantially  conforms  to  the  Report  made  h\ 
General  Brown  to  the  Department,  July  7th.  But,  neither  IIk 
Report,  nor  the  above  statement  gives  any  idea  of  the  re- 
markable skill  displayed  by  Scott,  nor  of  the  courage  and 
hardihood  of  the  troops  under  his  command.  Scott's  brigade' 
was  outnumbered  by  the  British.*  He  had,  therefore,  li 
make  up  in  strategy  and  science  what  was  wanting  in  actual 
muskets.  Scott  himself  was  ei^eri/icJicre— leading  first  oik 
battalion,  then  another ;  directing  the  indomitable  Towson  in 
his  several  changes  of  disposition  of  the  artillery  required  by 
the  rapidly  varying  front  of  batth; : — he  rode  about  like  a  whirl- 
wind to  dispose  the  attack,  to  outflank  in  his  oblique  charges, 
to  encourage  the  officers  and  men  to  more  than  usual  courage, 
His  spirit  and  will  fired  all  with  an  enthusiasm  which  knev 
no  retreat,  no  wavering.  The  men  stood  up  to  the  lines  liki 
walls  of  steel.  This  steadiness  under  heavy  fire  astounded 
the  enemy — many  of  whose  troops  were  soldiers  who  luid 
fought  out  bloody  campaigns  in  Europe ;  while  the  British 
officers,  from  General  Riall  and  the  Marquis  of  Tweedale  down 
to  their  subalterns,  were  confounded  with  the  extreme  skill 
displayed  in  the  evolutions  and  swift  disposition  of  their 
antagonists. 

General  Brown  states,  in  his  report,  thai  Ripley's  brigade 
did  not  succeed  in  getting  into  the  action  l^efore  the  encnr. 
was  flying  from  Scott's  impetuous  battali')ns.     The  greatesi 

*  The  Britis^h  authorities  state  to  the  contrary,  but  flgnrcB  are  facts  in 
this  case.  Tlie  Briti(<h  Adjutant-General's  report,  in  ennmeratins  the  dead 
and  wounded,  speeifies  the  troops  enj^a'j;ed,  thus; — 1st  reirinient,  Royai 
Scots;  sth,  Queen's ;  100th,  Marquis  of  Tweedale's ;  a  detachment  of  ili 
Koyal(l!»th)ura2:o()Us;  adetaclnnent  of  artillery  (9  lieavy  jruns);  and  a  body 
of  Canadian  militia  and  Indians.  The  lowest  estimate  that  can  be  mad' 
is  2,'MOto  ::J,400men.  Scott's  brigade  comi)lete,with  Towson'B  artillery  nutti- 
bered  less  than  1,(U)0.  The  Royr.l  Scots,  the  (iueon's  own  and  the  Marqui: 
of  Twcedale'fi  regiment  were  old  and  celebrated  troops. 


tenaj 
Ausf 
IdeiJ 

lustl 

coul 
mat! 


BEQULTfl    OF    THE    liATTI-K. 


87 


hich  poured 
IcNcil's  bat- 
ami  flank; 
parent  issue 
:i,  conipc'Ucil 
ping  ground 
ritisli  lied  in 
strong  to  l)c 

)ort  made  by 

t,  neither  tlic 

!a  of  the  n- 

courage  and 

cott's  brigade 

therefore,  to 

:ing  in  actiiid 

ng   first   om 

)le  Towson  in 

yr  required  by 

[t  like  a  whirl- 

)lique  charge?, 

usual  coura.t,'!, 

I  which  knev 

»  the  lines  lik' 

ire  astouiidcil 

iers  who  hnd 

le  the  Britii-1: 

'weedale  do^M; 

extreme  skil! 

dtion  of  then 

pley's  brigadt 

ore  the  enemy 

The  greater! 

;nroa  are  facts  in 
oorating  the  (U'nd 
rivirimeiit,  lioynl 
letachment  of  lli^ 
suns);  and  a  body 
that,  can  he  ina(K 
)n'B  artillery  nutii' 
I  and  the  Marqui- 


[crlions  were  made  to  throw  the  gallant  21st  regiment  (6f 
Ripley's  brigade)  into  the  field,  but,  the  work  was  finished 
re  it  could  reach  the  British  lines. 

The  killed,  Avounded  and  missing  of  the  Americans 
Mounted  to  8ii  ;  that  of  the  enemy  to  503,  olUcially  re- 
tried, in  both  instances.  Among  the  wounded  (British) 
fere  7  Captains,  17  Lieutenants,  Captain  Holland,  aid  to  Gen- 
ral  Kiall,  Lieutenant  Cole,  the  Marquis  of  Tweedale,  Lieu- 
pnant-Coloncls  Gordon  and  Dickson,  etc.,  etc. 

General  Brown,  in  his  Ofllcial  Report,  did  full  justice  to 
le  ollicers  and  men  under  his  command.     AVe  may  quote : 

"I  am  depressed  with  the  fear  of  not  being  able  to  do  justice 
my  brave  compani(His  in  arms,  and  apprehensive  that  some 
[ho  had  an  opportunity  of  distinguishing  themselves  and 
Jromi)tly  embraced  it  will  escape  my  notice. 
I "  Brigadier-Gefteral  Scott  is  entitled  to  the  highest  praise  our 
kmtry  can  bestow — to  him  more  than  to  any  otlier  man  am  I 
Klebted  for  the  victi:)ry  of  the  5th  of  July.  His  brigade  cov- 
fjred  itself  with  glory.  Every  ollicer  and  man  of  the  Ulh.  23d, 
li^th  and  25th  regiments,  did  his  duty  with  a  zeal  and  energy 
•Vforthy  of  the  American  cliMraclcr.  AVhen  every  ollicer  stands 
0d  i>re  eminently  iiigli  in  the  piith  of  duty  and  honor,  it  is  im- 
fbssible  to  discriminate;  but  I  can  not  deprive  myself  of  the 
pleasure  of  saying  that  Major  Leavenworth  commanded  the 
||li  and  22d,  Major  Jesup  the  25th,  and  Major  McNeil  the  llth. 
Colonel  Campbell  was  wounded  early  in  the  action,  gallantly 
leading  on  his  regiment. 
"The  family  of  General  Scott  (his  military  staff)  were  con- 

Si(Mious  in  tlie  field :  Lieutenant  Smith  of  the  (Ith  infantry, 
ijor  of  brigade,  and  Lieutenants  Worth*  and  Watts,  his  aids.'' 

Promotions  followed  this  report  as  follows  : 

J'' Honorary  Breveta — Brigadier-General  Scott,  to  be  Major- 
mineral;  Majors  Leavenworth,  IVlcNeil  and  Jesup  to  be  Li(!U- 
lant-Colonels ;    Captains    Crookcr,   Towson,    Harrison    and 
jstin   to  l)e  Majors;  Lieutenant  Worth  to  be  Captain;  2d 
jutenant  AVatts,  to  be  1st  Lieutenant." 

'  ;Beyond  question  this  victory  was  owing  to  that  Camp  of 
Xa3truclion  at  Buffalo.  No  skill  and  efficiency  of  command 
6|inld  have  sufficed  for  the  emergency,  had  not  the  men  been 
witched  with  the  veterans  of  tlui  British  armv  in  field  skill 
fjpwell  as  in  the  conlidi-ncc  which  comes  of  rigid  discipline. 
Bravery  is  truly  a  comparative — not  an  absolute  quality,  aa 

*  Afterward  Major-Gencral  Worth.    He  died  in  the  Bcrvice,  1860. 


■sr 


38 


THE    LIFE    OP    WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


"the  philosophers"  will  persist  in  recording  it.     The  rcgi.| 
ment  which  fights  and  runs  away  as  militia,  will  fight  aiid^ 
never  flinch  from  orders  when  under  thorough  discipline  as  ■ 
regulars.     Tlie  men  who  blanch  at  the  fire  of  a  battery  will 
charge  that    battery  to  a  bloody  and    desperate  death  if  a 
leader  can  but  inspire  them  with  the  heroism  of  a  moment, 
None,  better  than  Scott,  knows  this ;  and  his  whole  systoii! 
of  tactics  is  founded  upon  the  great  cardinal  principle,  that 
courage  is  a  comparatim  quality,  to  inspire  which  disctjilim 
only  is  necessary.     Cowards  are  brave  men  under  the  con-  ^ 
trolling  hand  of  science.  | 

The  good  result  of  this  fight  was  not  in  the  single  victory 
alone,  but  in  the  fact  demonstrated,  viz. :  that  discipline  only 
was  wanting  to  render  American  soldiers  equal  to  any  troop? 
in  the  world.  That  fact  havinsr  gained  a  recognition,  tlio 
country  required  of  its  authorities  that  the  entire  military 
organization  should  be  rendered  equal  to  the  demands  made 
upon  it,  so  far  as  circumstances  would  permit.  Out  of  that 
requirement  sprung  the  institution  at  West  Point,  which  hns 
given  so  many  accomplished  men  to  the  service  of  the  Govern 
ment. 


CHAPTER     VI. 

THE  BATTLE  OP  NIAGARA.  (COMMONLY  CALLED  THE  BATTLE  OF  LUNDY's 
LAXE) — ITS  UEMARKAULE  NATURE — EXTUAORDINAUY  SERVICES  OP  AL!. 
ENGAGED  —  SCOTt's  BRIGADE  ALMOST  ANNIHILATED — SCOTT  WOUNLKD 
TWICE — IS   COMPELLED  TO   RETIRE   FROM   THE   CAMPAIGN. 

But  a  brief  rest  was  allowed  the  combatants  of  the  5th. 
Browr  resolved  to  push  his  enemy  back  upon  Queenstown. 
pnd,  11  possible,  to  drive  him  from  that  stronghold  to  the 
position  on  Burlington  Heights,  which  should  then  become. the 
prize  for  contention.  That  once  in  American  hands  would 
open,  with  Chauncey's  fleet,  the  entire  waters  of  Ontario  to 
American  enterprise,  and  again  lay  the  train  for  the  wished- 
for  conquest  of  Canada.  This  plan,  matured  in  wisdom  and 
spirit,  only  failed  of  entire  fulfillment  owing  to  unforeseen 
and  insurmountable  difficulties. 

On  the  8th  Ripley's  brigade  moved  up  the  Chippewa,  three 
miles  above  the  British  camp,  where  to  construct  a  bridge  for 


n  1 


The  regi- 
fight  and! 
scipline  nsl 
)att.ery  Avills 
death  if  a^ 
a  moment, 
iole  system  ?| 
iiiciple,  that 
h  discipUiu 
er  the  con- 

ngle  victory 
icipline  only 
3  any  troops 
gnition,  tlu' 
tire  military 
mancls  mack' 
Out  of  tluit 
it,  which  has 
f  the  Govern- 


LK  OF     LUNDY3 

UVICE3     OF   AL!. 
COTT     WOUNDKD 

s  of  the  5tli. 

Queenstown. 
ghold  to  the 
3U  become,  the 

hands  would 
of  Ontario  to 
)r  the  wished- 
1  wisdom  and 
to  unforeseen 

lippew^a,  three 
3t  a  bridge  for 


MOVEMENT    UPON   FORTS   GEORGE    AND   MASSASAGUA.       39 

jhe  passage  of  the  stream.  lie  enemy  did  not  discover  the 
ovement  until  the  bridge  *vas  near  its  completion.  Riall 
en  ordered  his  artillery  to  advance  upon  the  poiii*^  and  stop 
roccediugs.  But,  Hindman's  artillery  was  rea'  for  such  a 
emonstration,  and  his  scathing  fire  soon  drove  the  British 
lack  to  their  camp.  To  follow  up  this  advantage,  Scott  w\as 
;0W  ordered  to  cross  the  bridge  below  and  assail  the  camp  in 
ont.  His  brigade  came  on  to  the  perilous  service,  with 
eady,  quick  step.  Towson's  guns  swept  up  to  the  bridge  to 
filade  it.  The  British  commander  resolved  not  to  incur 
e  hazard  of  a  complete  capture,  and  withdrew  his  entire 
irces  precipitately  toward  Queenstown,  from  whence  the  fol- 
wing  day  he  advanced  to  Ten  Mile  creek.  Brown  followed 
oely  and  occupied  Queenstown": 

After  various  movements,  in  whicli  several  sharp  engage- 

nts  occurred,  the  American  General  resolved  to  pursue  the 

itish    army,  now  under  command    of  Lieutenant-General 

ummond,  to  Burlington  Heights,  and  thus  strike  for  the 

of  his  position,  leaving  Forts  George  and  Niagara — both 

n  in  possession  of  the  enemy — to  be  conquered  at  leisure. 

eenstown  was  therefore  abandoned  by  the  American  army, 

icli  fell  back  upon  the  Chippewa.     The  abandoned  posi- 

in  was  immediately  occupied  by  General  Riall,  from  whence, 

trusting  the  design  of  the  Americans,  he  threw  a  strong 

e  over  the  river  to  threaten  the  depot  at  Schlosser,  hoping 

s  to  distract  Brown's  movement.     As  a  counter,  Scott  was 

ered  to  pass  Riall,  in  his  intrenched  camp,  and  precipitatj 

forces  upon  Forts  George  and  Massasagua,  below,  thus  to 

pel  him  to  recall  his  troops  from  over  the  river.     At  four 

on  the  25th,  the  entire  brigade,  seven  hundred  strong, 

ther  with  Towson's  invincible  artillery,  passed  out  from 

ippewa.     Following  the  river  road  down,  when  near  the 

met,  at  Lundy's  Lane  (a  road  leading  from  the  Falls  to 

lington    Heights)  he    came  upon    the    British,  who    had 

ted,  on  a  commanding  hill,  a  strong  battery  of  nine  pieces, 

being  bra3S  twenty-fours.     The  advance  of  the  brigade 

ier  Captains  Harris  and    Pentland   first  encountered   the 

y's  outposts,  and,  after  a  sharp  conflict  drove  them  in 

ttti^n  the  fortified  position  and  main  lines  along  the  Lane. 

t,  finding  he  had  to  encounter  the  entire  force  of  RialK 


W 


,„^  urr.  OF  ^viK:nrxp  bcott. 


Tnrleed    critical;  it  \\ouiu  ti^ree  to  one  in  miisK-cr. 

Wv  a  disastrous  one;  U>  stana  ^_^j^,^  j^,g,,t  „e  vol  j 

Z,  ^f  reiaforeements  ciM  ^o™;  "^      j  Douglass*  to  Bvow 

r:\esU  to  «-^' -e  So'*-— -  -'^  r  sx  • 

utter  destruction.!  .  ^  ^^^  .,.„  Americans  as  soon  as  the, 

''  The  enemy  opened  ^^^  ^^^^^^  "^..^le  immediately  beca. 

emerged  from  tUe  woods^     The  ^  .^^  ^f  nnmhe. 

-i,     ^«^-^!^t^e!^eSs  so  as  to  prevent  b^g- 

Scott  disposed mssevei aire  ^^^^^        ^^  ^eU  as    . 

fl  mked.     The  action  was  «^^^ J"         ^ith  most  sangum  r '. 

!  m:      It  thus  CO— Wor  an^^^^^^^  ^^^^  ^,.. . 

rpsults  to  both  Sides.      Uie  ii  pounded,  and  ^i^; 

itrlst  of  their  officers  ^^^^^^^..^  were  ^vithdrawn  from  t: 

:'  Xusted  all  tl-r-Xrof  battle  to  bo  borne  by  « 

field      This  left  the  whole  ^^^^^^  oi  ^^^  ^^^^il 

«:;:U.eav^-t.     He..o.^^^^  fearful  ..ecu. 

.  Attotwarf  ^'f'oSor,  Ohio.  ,,  „f  .o  large  a  force  ot '    " 

arrao^'ed  that  ScoU,  ^^''^„\\?_!;9;  the  Niagaral    "«  J7.,f,a     on  the  way. 
commenced.'' 


idge'g 
dUow 

^  "Li 

peer 

rawr 

ige> 


CllITICAL    SITUATION    OF    SCOTT's   BRIGADE. 


41 


>1 


ncs  to  tlif'^ 
'ulcl  l)e  gf'D- 
|ow,  was,  of 
ir  the  stni.: 
ods  he  Avih 
mdy's  Lain 
is  case  "svu> 
!s  he  was  ii    , 
in  mllskct^- ' ' 
lies — he  mii« 
k  mind  deter 
defeat,  probi 
ite  his  forces 
night  be  woi 
ass*  to  BroT- 
,hus  hastenin. 
ave  him  fror 

3  soon  as  the;| 
diately  hecair 
y  of  mmiber 
ivent  being  on 
y  as  well  as  f 
lost  sanguinnr 
giments,  havii 
mded,  and  hf ' 
drawn  from  tl 
be  borne  by  tt 
orm  the  terrib 
(jarful  oxecutii 

sntly,  rre?ident /I 

irge  a  force  of  : 
1,    Lieutenant-G' 
ritlsh  fleet,  at  i  '-"S 
i-om  Kingston  a 
ni.    Drnmmondli: 
the  25th  ontlw' 
■V  road  it  had  t' 
^mel)y(>uccn^'l< 
joutrived  his  rot 
la.    On  the  way.; 
3hhad  juBtconw'.^ 
vale,  after  the  ad    ~^ 


m  the  thinned  ranks,  but  his  shattered  columns  were  not 
fequal  to  the  service,  and  Leavenworth  reported  his  condition 
10  Scott.  The  General,  begrimed  with  dust  and  blood, 
lurried  up  to  Leavenworth's  position,  rode  along  the  ranks 
^nd  was  gallantly  cheered  as  he  passed.  lie  asked  the  men 
hold  their  ground  for  a  few  moments  longer,  when  rein- 
)rcenients  would  relieve  them — a  promise  which  fired  them 
lith  new  strength.  Here  let  us  defer  our  account  of  the 
3markable  struggle  which  followed,  to  give  place  to  Bracken- 
idge's  somewhat  detailed  statement  of  the  entire  action  which 
)llowed  the  reinforcements : — 

"  Lieutenant  Riddle,  already  well  known  as  a  reconnoitering 

^flScer,  was  the  first  tc  come  to  their  assistance,  having  been 

rawn  to  tlie  place  by  the  sound  of  the  cannon,  wiiile  on  a  scour- 

ig  expedition  in  the  neighboring  country.    The  same  circum- 

tance  advised  General  Brown  of  the  commencement  of  tlie  ac- 

|on,  and  induced  hiui  to  proceed  rapidly  to  the  scene,  after  giving 

rders  to  Genera'  Ripley  to  tbllow  with  the  second  brigade.  He 

^as  alreud;  on  '  "s  wa}'  when  he  met  Major  Jones,  and,  influ- 

iced  by  !      ,:..  .i.iunilcation,  he  dispatched  him  to  bring  up 

[eneral  Porter's  volunteers,  together  with  the  artillery. 

"The  situation  of  Scott's  brigade  was  every  mcnntut  becoming 

^ore  critical.     A^isled  by  tlie  obstinacy  of   their    resistance, 

j?\eral  Illall  overrated  "their  force ;  and  dispatched  a  messen- 

ir  to  General  Drummond,  at  Fort  George,  for  reinforcements, 

)twithstan(ling  that  the  number  engaged  on  his  side,  thus  far, 

id  been  more  than  double  that  of  the  Americans.    During  the 

jriod  that  both  armies  were  waiting  for  reinforcements,  a  vol- 

itary  cessation  from  combat  ensuwl ;  and  for  a  time  no  sound 

Jrokc  upon  the  stillness  of  the  night,  but  the  groans  of  the 

lounded  mingling  wiih  the  distant  thunder  of  the  cataract  of 

liagara.    The  silence  was  ouce  more  interrupted,  and  tlie  en- 

Igement  renewed  witi)  augmented  vigor,  on  the  arrival  of 

Mieral  Ripley's  bris^   !••,  Major  llindman's  artillery,  and  Gen- 

d  Porter's  voluntt   ■  >.  ^  <u'-  at  the  same  time  of  Lieutenant-Gen- 

d  Drummond  wi'i  .Oiil.  >rcenient«  to  the  British.  The  artil- 
ty  were  united  to  'i\/V -;<■••  i;  detachment,  and  soon  came  into 
tion ;  Porter's  brigade  w  c'y  displayed  on  the  left,  and  Ripley's 
rmed  on  the  skirts  of  the  wood,  to  the  right  of  Scott's  brigade. 
Bneral  Drummond  took  the  command  in  person  of  the  front 
la  of  the  enemy  with  his  fresh  troops, 

I" In  the  meantime,  Cohmcl  Jcsup,  who,  as  before  mentioned, 
kd  been  ordered,  at  tlu;  commencement  of  the  action,  to  take 
^st  on  the  right,  had  succeeded  during  the  engagement,  after 
jfallant  contest,  in  turning  the  left  flanlc  of  the  enemy.  Taking 

vantage  of  the  ,  '.rkness  of  the  night,  and  the  carelessness  of 


42 


TUE    LIFE    OF   ■\VINFIEI.D    SCOTT. 


the  enemy  in  omitting  to  place  a  proper  guard  across  a  road  on  »^1! 
his  left,  he  threw  his  regiment  in  the  rear  of  their  reserve ;  audi 
surprising  one  detachment  after  another,  made  prisoners  of  so  I 
many  of  their  officers  and  men,  tlf  at  his  progress  was  greatly ' 
impeded  by  it.    The  laws  of  war  would  have'  justified  him  iu 
putting  them  to  death ;  'but  the  laurel,  in  his  opinion,  was  most,: 
glorious  when  entwined  by  the  hand  of  mercy,'  and  he  gcnor-  - 
ously  spared  them.    One  of  his  ofTiccrs,  Captain  Ketchum,  avIiu  ,| 
had  already  distinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of  Chippewa,  1 
had  the  good  fortmie  to  make  prisoner  of  General  Riall,  avIio,  I 
on  the  arrival  of  General  Drummond,  had  been  assigned  to  tlie  -I 
command  of  the  reserve,  and  also  of  Captain  Loring,  the  aid  ofi 
General  Drummond.    The  latter  was  a  most  fortunate  circuni- 
stance,  as  it  prevented  the  concentration  of  the  British  forces 
contemplated  by  that  officer,  before  the  Americans  were  pre 
pared  for  his  reception.  After  hastily  disposing  of  his  prisoner?, 
Colonel  Jesup  felt  his  way  through  the  darkness  to  the  place 
where  the  hottest  fire  was  kept  up  on  the  brigade  to  which  lie 
belonged;  and  drawing  up  liis  ^'^inient  behind  a  fence,  on  one 
side  of  the  Queenstown  road,  bi;    "    ^''e  rear  of  a  party  of  Brit-  • 
isli  infantry,  posted  on  the  oppo.        ide  of  the  same  road,  ho 
surprised  them  by  a  fire  so  destructiv  ,  that  they  instantly  broke 
and  fled.     'The  Major,'  said  General    Brown, ' showed  him- 
self to  his  own  army  in  a  blaze  of  fire.'    He  received  the  ap- 
])lause  of  the  General,  and  was  ordered  to  form  on  the  right  of 
the  second  brigade. 

"  General  Ripley,  seeing  the  impracticability  of  operating  upon 
the  enemy  from  the  place  at  which  he  had  been  ordered  to  post 
his  brigade,  or  of  advancing  from  it  in  line  through  a  thick 
wood,  in  the  impenetrable  darkness  of  the  night,  determined, 
with  that  rapid  decision  wliich  characterizes  the  real  commander, 
to  adopt  the  onlv  measure  by  which  he  saw  a  hope  of  saving 
the  first  brigade  iVom  destruction,  or  of  ultimately  achieving  the 
victory ;  and  which  when  made  known  to  the  Commander-in- 
Chief,  was  instantly  sanctioned.  The  eminence  occupied  by  the 
enemy's  artillery  was  the  key  to  their  x>osition.  Addressing 
himself  to  Colonel  Miller,  the  same  who  had  distinguished  hini- 
self  at  Magagua,  he  inquired  whether  he  could  storm  the  battery 
at  the  heail  of  the  2 1st  regiment,  while  he  would  himself 
support  him  with  the  younger  regiment,  the  23d.  To  this 
the  wary,  but  intrepid  veteran  replied,  in  unaffected  phrase, 
'I  WILL  TRY,  sir' — woi'ds  wliicli  wcie  afterward  worn  on  the 
buttons  of  his  regiment — and  immediately  prepared  for  the 
arduous  effort,  by  placing  himself  directly  in  front  of  the  hill. 
The  23d  was  formed  in  close  column,  by  its  commander, 
Major  M'Farland;  and  the  1st  regiment,  under  Colonel 
Nicholas,  which  had  that  day  arrived  from  a  long  and 
fatiguing  march,  was  left  to  keep  the  infantry  in  check.  Tho 
twi )  regnnents  moved  on  to  one  of  the  most  perilous  charges 


lth( 
^pa 
Ifir 

:iA] 
lit 

in 

lib 


CAPTURE   OP   THE   BRITISH   BATTERY. 


48 


|s8  a  road  on 

3serve;  and; 

Isoners  of  so; 

[was  greatly 

pificd  liim  ill 

)n,  was  most; 

[d  he  gcnor- 

kcluim,  Avlio 

If  Chippowa, 

ll  Riall,  who, 

Kigned  to  tlie 

\g,  the  aid  of 

[nate  circn.ru- 

Britisli  forces 

ns  were  pre 

lis  prisoner?, 

to  the  place 

to  which  lie 

ence,  on  one 

)arty  of  Brit- 

iame  road,  lie 

stantly  broke 

showed  hiin- 

Dived  the  ap- 

a  the  right  of 

aerating  upon 
dered  to  post 
oiigh  a  thick 
,  determined, 
I  commander, 
)pe  of  savinir 
ichieving  the 
mmander-in- 
jupied  by  the 
Addressing 
gnished  hini- 
n  the  battery 
>uld  himself 
^d.  To  this 
ictcd  phrase, 
worn  on  the 
red  for  the 
t  of  the  hill, 
commander, 
der  Colonel 
I  long  and 
check.  The 
lou8  charges 


[ever  attempted ;.  the  whole  of  the  artillery,  supported  by  the 
[fire  of  a  powerful  line  of  infantry,  pouring  upon  them  as  they 
[advanced.     The    21st    moved    on    steadily    to    its    purpose: 
[the  23d  faltered  on  receiving  the  deadly  fire  of  the  enemj'-, 
[but   was   soon    rallied    by    the    personal*   exertions  of  Gen- 
[eral  llipley.    AVhen  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  summit, 
[they  received   another  dreadful   discharge,  by  which  Major 
M'i^arland  was  killed,   and    the  commancl  of  his    regiment 
[devolved  on  Major  Brooks.    To  the  amazement  of  the  British, 
Ithe  intrepid  Miller  firml^^  advanced,  until  within  a  few  paces 
[of  their  cannon,  when  he  impetuously  charged  upon  the  artille- 
rists, and  after  a  short  but  desi)crate  resistance,  carried  the  whole 
[battery,  and  f  ):-'ivjd  his  line  in  its  rear,  upon  the  ground  pre- 
[viously  occ.ipied   by  the   British    infantry.     In  carrying    the 
largest    pieces,  the  21st  suffered  severely:  Lieutenant  Cilley, 
Jafter   an   unexampled    effort,   fell    wounded   by  the  side  of 
the  piece  which  he  took ;  and  there  were  few  of  the  officers 
lof  this  regiipent  who  were  not  either  killed  or  wounded.    By 
Ithe  united  efforts  of  these  two  regiments,  and  the  bringing  into 
line  of  the  1st,  the  fate  of  this  bold  assault  was  determined : 
[the  British  infantry  were  in  a  short  time  driven  down  the  emi- 
lence,  out  of  the  reach  of  musketry,  and  their  own  cannon 
turned  upon  them.    This  admirable  effort  completely  changed 
the  nature  of  the  battle:   every  subsequent  movement  was 
lirected  to  this  point,  as  upon  the  ability  to  maintain  it  the 
result  of  the  conflict  entire  ly  depended.    Major  Hindman  was 
now  ordered  to  bring  up  his  corps,  including  Captain  Towson's 
detachment,  and  post  himself,  with  his  own  and  the  captured 
;annon,  to  the  right  of  Ripley's  brigade,  and  between  it  and  the 
!5th,  Jesup's  regiment,  while  the  volunteers  of  General  Porter 
•etaincd  their  position  on  the  left  of  Scott's  brigade. 
"  Stung  with  rage  and  mortification  at  this  most  extraordinary 
md  successful  exploit  of  the  Americans,  General  Drummond, 
[tlie  British  commander,  now  considered  it  absolutely  essential 
|to '^'e  credit  of  the  Bi'ilisli  armj,  and  to  avoid  insupportable 
lisgrace,  that  the  cannon  and  the  eminence  on  which  they  were 
fcaptured  shoud  be  retaken.   Having  been  greatly  reinforced,  he 
|advanced  upon  Uipley,  with  a  heavy  and  extended  line,  out- 
lank  ing  him  on  both  extremes.     The  Americans  stood  silently 
iwaiting  his  approach,  which  could  only  be  discovered  by  the 
sound  attending  it,  reserving  their  fire,  in  obedience  to  orders, 
|until  it  could  be  effective  and  deadly.    The  whole  division  of 
Ithe  British  now  marched  at  a  brisk  step,  until  within  twenty 
[paces  of  the  summit  of  the  height,  when  it  poured  in  a  rapid 
Ire,  and  prepared  to  rush  forward  with  the  bayonet.    The 
lAmerican  line  being  directed  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  returned 
lit  with  deadly  effect.     The  enemy  were  thereby  thrown  into 
^momentary  confusion ;  but  being  rallied,  returned  furiously  to 
ithe  atUick.     A  most  tremendous  conflict  ensued;  which  for 


44 


THE   LIFE   or   WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


twenty  minutes  continued  \Mili  violence  indescribable.  The 
British  line  was  at  last  compelled  to  yield,  and  to  retire  down 
the  hill.  In  this  struggle  General  Porter's  volunteers  emulated 
the  conduct  of  the  regulars.  The  gallant  Major  "Wood,  of  the 
Pennsylvania  corps,  and  Colonel  Dobbin,  of  the  New  York, 
gave  examples  of  unshaken  intrepidity. 

"  It  was  not  supposed,  however,  that  this  would  be  the  last 
effort  of  the  British  General;  General  Ripley  therefore  had  the 
wounded  transported  to  the  rear,  and  instantly  restored  his  line 
to  order.  General  Scott's  shattered  brigade  having  been  con- 
solidated into  one  battalion,  had  during  this  period  been  held 
in  reserve  behind  the  second  brigade,  under  Colonel  Leaven- 
worth— Colonel  Brady  having  been  compelled,  by  the  severity 
of  his  w^ound,  to  resign  the  command.  It  was  now  ordered  to 
move  to  Lundy's  Lane,  and  to  form  with  its  right  toward  the 
Niagara  rnad,  and  its  left  in  the  rear  of  the  artillery. 

"  After  the  lai3se  of  half  an  hour,  General  Diummond  was 
heard  again  advancing  to  the  assault  with  renovated  vigor. 
The  direction  at  first  given  by  General  Ripley  was  again 
observed.  The  fire  of  the  Americans  was  dreadful;  and  th(3 
artillery  of  Major  Hindman,  which  were  served  with  gre^t  skill 
and  coolness,  would  have  taken  away  all  heart  from  the  Britisl) 
for  this  perilous  enterprise,  had  not  an  example  of  bravery 
been  set  them  by  the  Americans.  After  the  first  discharge, 
the  British  General  threw  himself  with  liis  entire  weight  upon 
the  center  of  the  American  line.  He  was  firmly  received  by 
the  gallant  21st  regiment;  a  few  ])lato()ns  only  faltering, 
whieii  were  soon  restored  by  General  Ripley.  Finding  that 
no  impression  could  be  made,  tlic  whole  British  line  again 
recoiled,  and  fell  back  to  the  bottom  of  the  hill.  During  this 
second  contest,  two  gallant  charges  were  led  by  General  Scott 
in  person,  the  first  upon  the  enemy's  left,  and  tlie  second  on 
his  right  fiank,  w'ith  his  consolidated  battalion;  but  having  to 
oppose  double  lines  of  infantry,  his  attempts,  which  would 
have  been  decisive  had  they  i)ro.  ed  successful,  were  unavailing. 
Although  he  had  most  fortunately  escaped  unhurt  thus  far, 
subsequently,  in  passing  to  the  right,  he  received  two  severe 
wounds ;  regardless  of  liimself,  however,  he  did  not  quit  the 
field,  until  he  had  directed  Colonel  Leavenworth  to  unite  his 
battalion  with  the  25th  regiment,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Jesup. 

"Disheartened  by  these  repeated  de^ats,  the  British  were  on 
the  point  of  yielding  the  contest,  w^en  they  received  fresh 
reinforcements  from  Fort  George,  which  revived  their  spirits, 
and  induced  them  to  make  another  and  still  more  desperate 
struggle.  After  taking  an  hour  to  refresh  themselves  and  reco- 
ver trom  their  fatigue,  they  advanced  with  a  still  more  extended 
line,  and  wath  confident 'hopes  of  l)eiug  able  to  overpower  the 
Americans.    Our  countrymen,  who  had  stood  to  their  arms 


PINAL  REPULSE   OP   THE   ENEMY. 


45 


[during  all  this  time,  were  worn  down  with  fatigue,  and  almost 
fainting  with  thirst,  which  there  was  no  water  at   hand  to 
quench.    From  tlie  long  interval  which  had  elapsed  since  the 
second  repulse,  they  had  begun  to  cherish  hopes  that  the  enemy 
had  abandoned  a  further  attempt ;  but  in  this  they  were  disap- 
pointed.   On  the  approach  of  the  British  for  the  third  time, 
Iheir  courageous  spirit  returned,  and  they  resolved  never  to 
yield  the  glorious  trophies  of  their  victory,  until  they  could 
contend  no  longer.    The  British  delivered  their  fire  at  the  same 
distance  as  on  the  preceding  onsets.    But  although  it  was  re- 
turned with  the  same  deadly  effect,  they  did  not  fall  back  with 
tlie  same  precipitation  as  before;  they  steadily  advanced,  and 
repeated  their  discharge.     A  conflict,  obstinate  and  dread- 
ful beyond  description,  ensued.     The  21st,  under  its  brave 
leader," firmly  withstood  the  shock;  and  although  the  right  and 
left  repeatedly  fell  back,  they  were  as  often  rallied  by  the 
personal  exertions  of  the  General,  and  Colonels  Miller,  !^^icho- 
las,  and  Jesup.    At  length  the  two  contending  lines  were  on 
the  very  summit  of  the  hill,  where  the  contest  was  waged  with 
terrific  violence  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.     Suc;h  was  the 
obstinacy  of  the  conflict,  that  many  battalions,  on  both  sides, 
were  forced  back,  and  the  opposing  parties  became  mingled 
with  each  other.    Nothing  could  exceed  the  desperation  of  the 
battle  at  the   point  where  the  cannon   were  stationed.    The 
enemy  having  forced  themselves  into  the  very  midst  of  Major 
Ilindman's  artillery,  he  was  compelled  to  engage  them  across 
the  carriages  and  guns,  and  at  last  to  spike  two  of  his  pieces. 
General  Ripley,  having  brought  back  the  broken  sections  to 
their  positions  and  restored  the  line,  now  pressed  upon  the 
enemy's  flank  and  compelled  them  to  give  way.    The  center 
soon  following  the  example,  and  the  attack  upon  the  artillery 
being  at  this  moment  repulsed,  the  whole  British  line  fled  a 
third  time;  and  no  exertions  of  their  officers  could  restrain 
them  until  thejr  had  placed  themselves  out  of  reach  of  the  mus- 
ketry and  artdlery.    The  British  now  consented  to  relinquish 
their  cannon,  and  retired  beyond  the  borders  of  the  field, 
leaving  their  dead  and  wounded. 

"  General  Brown  had  received  two  severe  wounds  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  last  charge,  and  was  compelled  to  retire  to 
tlie  camp  at  the  Chippewa,  leaving  the  command  to  General 
iliplcy.  The  latter  officer  had  macle  repeated  efforts  to  obtain 
the  means  of  removing  the  captured  artiHery ;  but  the  horses 
having  been  killed,  and  no  drag-ropes  being  at  hand,  they  were 
still  on  the  place  where  they  had  been  captured,  when  orders 
were  received  from  General  Brown,  to  collect  the  wounded  and 
return  to  camp  immediately.  The  British  cannon  were  there- 
fore left  behind,  the  smaller  pieces  having  first  been  rolled 
down  the  hill.  The  whole  of  the  troops  reached  the  camp  in 
good  order  about  midnight,  after  an  unmolested  march. 


-."  n 


i8 


TEE   LIFE   OP   WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


1 1 


"  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  these  trophies  of  victory  could 
not  have  been  secured ;  as  the  circumstance  of  their  recovery 
by  tlie  British  gave  them  occasion,  surprising  as  it  may  seem, 
to  claim  the  victory.  To  high  praise  they  certainly  were  en- 
titled ;  but  to  the  merit  of  "  a  complete  defeat  of  the  Americans," 
they  had  no  claim,  and  the  assertion  was  an  outrage  to  trutli. 
A  compliment  for  such  a  victory  ought  to  infuse  the  blush  of 
shame  into  the  cheek  of  any  honorable  soldier  who  had  a 
share  in  the  contest  so  named. 

"The  British  force  engaged,  of  whom  1,200  were  militia 
and  500  Indians,  was  little  short  of  5,000  men ;  being  nearly 
a  third  greater  than  that  of  the  Americans.  The  loss  oli 
either  side  was  proportioned  to  the  nature  of  this  dreadful 
and  sanguinary  battle :  its  aggregate,  in  both  armies,  amounted 
to  1,729;  and  the  killed  and  wounded  alone  to  near  1,400. 
In  the  records  of  the  most  bloody  battles  we  seldom  meet  will 
so  great  a  number  of  officers  killed  and  wounded.  On  the 
side  of  the  British,  1  assistant  Adjutant- General,  1  Captain, 

3  subaltorns,  and  79  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates. 
Avere  killed;  Lieutenant-General  Drummond,  3  Lieutenant- 
Colonels,  2  Majors,  8  Captains,  22  subalterns,  and  522  non- 
commissioned officers  and  privates  were  wounded;  1  Major- 
General  (Riall  who  was  also  wounded,)  1  aid-de-camp — Cap- 
tain Loring,  5  other  Captains,  9  subalterns,  and  230  non-com- 
missioned officers  and  privates,  were  prisoners  or  missing: 
making  in  all  878  men.  The  American  loss  was,  1  Major, 
5  Captains,  5  subalterns,  and  159  non-commissioned  officers 
and  privates,  killed;  Major-General  Brown,  Brigadier-Generals 
Scott  and  Porter,  2  aids-de-camp,  1  brigade  Major,  1  Colonel, 

4  Lieutenant-Colonels,  1  Major,  7  Captains,  37  subalterns,  and 
515  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  wounded;  and 
1  brigade  Major,  1  Captain,  6  subalterns,  and  102  non- 
commissioned officers  and  private's,  prisoners  or  missing: 
making  a  grand  total  of  851.  Thus  there  was  a  difference 
of  27  only,  between  the  respective  losses  of  the  contending 
parties." 

Considered  in  all  its  aspects  this  battle  is  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  on  record,  from  its  obstinacy,  the  number  of  its 
dead  in  proportion  to  the  number  engaged,  and  the  extra- 
ordinary generalship  shown  upon  both  sides.  Fouglit  in  the 
night,  under  the  very  spray  of  the  mighty  cataract  whose 
eternal  roar  mingled  with  the  cannon's  notes  like  a  prolonged 
and  mighty  moan,  it  has  in  it  elements  of  novelty  and  sublimity 
which  attach  to  no  other  recorded  strife.  •  The  charge  and 
counter-charge,  the  rattle  of  musketry  in  line  and  platoon, 
the  sharp  crack  of  the  pistol  m  some  near  foe,  the  thunder  of 


BCOTT   TWICE  WOUNDED. 


47 


)ry  could 
recovery 
my  seem, 
were  en- 
lericaiis," 

|e  to  trulli. 
blush  of 

HO  liad  a 

^re  militia 
fng  nearly 
'le  loss  oil 
s  dreadful 
amounted 
bear  1,400. 
meet  witl 
.  On  the 
1  Captain, 
d  privates, 
ieutenant- 
522  non- 
l:  1  Major- 
;amp— Cap- 
20  non-com- 
or  missing: 
.s,  1  Major, 
ned  officers 
ier-Generals 
■,  1  Colonel, 
•alterns,  and 
mded;  and 
I  102  non- 
)r  missing : 
a  difference 
contending 

of  the  most 
mber  of  its 
the  extra- 
'Ught  in  the 
iract  whose 
I  prolonged 
id  sublimity 
charge  and 
ad  platoon, 
thunder  of 


[the  answering  and  answered  artillery,  the  clash  of  sword  on 
5word,  the  moans  of  wounded  men  and  horses,  the  shouts  of 
[command,  the  huzzas  of  victory — all,  kept  up  from  sunset  to 
lidnight,  contributed  to  the  passing  hours  an  epic  as  redolent 
)f  glory  and  gore,  of  pleasure  and  pain,  of  triumph  and  defeat, 
IS  ever  thrilled  the  lyre  of  minstrel. 

Scott  was  among  those  badly  wounded.     Two  horses  were 
Hiot  under  him,  and  his  last  hour  in  the  conflict  was  passed 
)ii  foot.     One  ball  struck  his  side,  injuring  two  ribs  badly ; 
3ut,  tying  his  scarf  tightly  over  the  wound,  he  continued  with 
lis  men.     Late  in  the  conflict  he  received  a  second  ball  in 
\h(i  left  shoulder,  which  shattered  the'  joint   and  compelled 
lini  to  give  up  to  the  surgeon.     "Weak  from  loss  of  blood 
irough  his  first  wound,  the  last  shot,  adding  sharp  pain  to 
Repletion,  prostrated  him  utterly,  and  the  surgeons  gave  him 
ittle  hope  of  an  early  or  easy  recovery.     He  was  first  borne 
the  camp  of  Chippewa,  thence  to  the  residence  of  a  friend 
|t  Williamsville,  near  Buffalo,  where  he  remained  a  month, 
buffering  extremely.     The  companionship  of  the  British  Gen- 
pal,  Riall,  and  his  aid.  Major  Wilson — both  severely  wounded, 
|ind  prisoners — served  to  render  his  confinement  less  irksome. 
?lioug]i  enemies  in  arms  they  soon  became  friends  in  earnest. 
?he  Britons  were  accomplished  gentlemen,  and  ever  enter- 
la  Ined  a  lively  and  sincere  affection  for  Scott.* 

*  Through  Scott's  intercession  both  Riall  and  Wilson  were  permitted  to 
Return  to  England  at  a  moment,  when,  owing  to  the  bad  understand- 

ng  existing  between  the  two  Governments,  eiich  concessions  were  rare. 

Jiiili  was  knighted  for  his  services,  and  promoted.  Wilson  became 
Jir  John  Morillyou  Wilson.  Mansfield  says,  that,  owing  to  his  great 
lespect  for  the  American  character,  Wilson  invested  the  hard  earnings  of 
forty  years'  service,  and  all  his  wife's  property,  in  Mississippi  bonds,  which, 
lo  the  lasting  disgrao)  of  that  State,  were  paid  by  the  very  convenient 
)rocess  of  repudiation. 


48 


THE   LIFE   OF   WINPIELD   BCOTT. 


CHAPTER     VII. 

GALLANT  DEFENSE  OF  FORT  ERIE — SCOTT  EN  ROUTE  FOR  PniLADELPIIn) 
— INTEUES 'ING  INCIDENTS  BY  THE  WAY — 13  MADE  M.  A.  AT  PRINCI!{ 
TON— TAKK  COMMAND  OF  TROOPS  FOR  DEFENSE  OF  PUILADELPIIIA  ANcI 
BALTIMORE — IN  CHARGE  OF  THE  TENTH  MILITARY  DISTRICT — PLANS  Tinl 
CAMPAIGN  FOR  1815 — IS  OFFERKD  THE  SECRETARYSHIP  OF  WAR — GOKij 
TO  EUROPE — GOOD  RESULTS  OP  THE  TOUR— RETURN — MARRIES— GOuJ 
MEDAL  FROM   CONGRESS — SWORDS   FROM   VIRGINIA   AND   NBW   YORK. 

A  STRICT  adherence  to  our  biogi-aphy  precludes  the  privilecej 
of  recording,  at  Icngtii,  the  story  of  the  campaign  on  tliol 
Niagara,  after  the   two  conflicts  of  Cliippewa  and  Niagaraj 
Falls.     Suffice  to  say,  overmatched  greatly  in  numbers  thel 
Americans    retreated    before    General    Drummond's    llea^7l 
columns.    The  main  body  of  the  army  passed  up  the  Niagaraj 
to  Black  Rock  ferry,  where  it  came  to  a  halt;-  and  Brown 
resolved  to  make  one  more  grand  issue  with  his  opponent.; 
He  decided  to  hold  Fort  Erie.    Throwing  his  entire  force  intni 
it  he  made  rapid  preparations  for  the  defense.     Brigadier- 
General  Gaines  was  given  the  general  command.     The  con- 
dition of  the  fortress  was  not  calculated  to  resist  the  heavy! 
artillery  of  Drummond,  but,  with  most  indomitable  spirit,  it! 
w\as  put  in  order,  and  the  garrison  prepared  for  a  glorious 
resistance.   Drummond  came  up  (August,  3d),  to  find  all  ready 
for  his  warm  reception.    A  careful  reconnoiter  convinced  him  I 
of  the  impossibility  of  carrying  the  fortress  by  storm.     Hcl 
therefore   regularly    invested   it.     Trenches   were  gradually! 
opened  and  batteries  planted.     Bombardments  and  assaults! 
followed,  with  no  very  favorable  results  to  the  British,  so  ^ 
furious  was  the  defense.     Ripley,  Hindman,  McRae,  Porter, 
Trimble,   Towson  were  all  there,  as  well  as  Brown,  their 
wounded  but  ever  vigilant  Commander-in-Chief.     Thej  were 
more  than  a  match  for  the  veterans  from  beyond   the   sea. 
For  fifty  days  the  siege  continued  with  fearful  loss  to  the  I 
assailants,  when  Brown  resolved  upon  a  sortie.     It  was  a 
daring,  but  well  advised   enterprise— -the  only  thing  which 
could  possibly  save  the  garrison  from  the  enemy's  tremendous  I 
preparations  for  a  final  bombardment  and  assault.    The  sortie  ^ 
was   made,  and  stands    recorded  one   of  the    most  brilliant  I 


BCOTT   EN   nOUTE  FOU  PttlLADELPHLA.. 


40 


IILADELPiml 
AT   PUINCI!. 
>ELPH1A   and! 
I"— PLANS  TIIbI 
WAR— COKij 
JURIES— fioul 
IW   YORK. 

lie  privilecej 
fgn  on  tlicj 
id  Niagara 
umbers  the 
id's    hea^7 
lie  Niagara 
and  Brown 
9  opponent! 
re  force  into! 
Brigadier! 
.     The  coil- 
it  the  heavy  I 
ble  spirit,  it) 
'  a  glorious  i 
nd  all  ready 
ivinced  him; 
storm.     He  I 
e  gradually 
md  assaults! 
I  British,  so  | 
Rae,  Porter,  I 
rown,  their; 
The^  were  I 
id   the  sea. 
loss  to  the 

It  was  a  I 
ling  -which  I 
tremendous  | 
The  sortie 
)st  brilliant 


•xploils  of  the  war.  Three  days  after  the  sortie  General 
)rummond  raised  the  siege  (September  21st)  and  retired  to 
'hippewa,  utterly  discomfited  by  the  bravery  and  strategic 
resources  of  "  the  Yankees." 

Thus  the  campaign  on  the  Niagara  ended  gloriously  for 
Linerican  arms :  how  much  such  a  result  was  owing  to  that 
Camp  of  Instruction  in  Buffalo  only  the  men  engaged  in  the 
three  conflicts  could  tell. 

Anxious  to  reach  Philadelphia  for  the  eminent  surgical  aid 

icccssary  in  his  case,  Scott  started  for  the  East.     Arriving  at 

Jatavia  he  was  compelled  to  tarry  for  several  weeks — being 

lost  kindly  cared  for  by  ft'iendly  hands.     From  thence  he 

N'ds  borne,  on  a  litter,  to  Geneva — gentlemen  along  the  route 

eagerly  volunteering    as  bearers  of  the  litter.     All    classes, 

lale  and  female,  old  and  young,  gave  the  wounded  hero  the 

dndest  greeting  as  he  passed  on  his  painful  way.    At  Geneva 

ic  tarried  soveral  days  to  regain  strength  for  the  next  remove. 

[n  this  manner,  accompanied  by  his  faithful  aid  and  devoted 

jFiieiul,  Major  Worth,  he  proceeded,  by  easy  stages,  southward, 

jveryvvhere  being  received  with   demonstrations  of  respect. 

[lis  name  was  on  all  tongues,  for  the  fame  of  his  exploits  had 

joue  on  before.     Extreme  feebleness  picventf'd  acceptance  of 

)ublic  receptions  tendered  by  several  cities.     Ai  Princeton, 

Tew  Jersey,  the  Commencement    exercises  of  Nev^  Jersey 

College  occurring  when  the  carriage  of  the  invalid  reached 

that  place,  Scott  was  waited  upon  by  the  Faculty,  and  was 

30  earnestly  solicited  to  attend   the  ceremonies  as  to  allow 

himself  to  be  borne  to  the  church.     His  appearance  on  the 

stage,   pale,  emaciated  and    disabled,  gave  occasion  for  the 

wildest   enthusiasm  from  the  great  crowd  gathered,  of  the 

leading  inhabitants  of  the  place.     The  valedictorian  of  the 

^ear  referred  very  handsomely  to  the  "  Duties  of  Citizens  in 

*eae«  and  War,"  and,  most  unexpectedly  to  all,  broke  forth 

[in  eloquent  eulogy  of  the  wounded  warrior  present.     It  was 

surprise  for  Scott,  who  bore  such  praise  with  less  courage 

than  the  oratory  of  the  enemy's  batteries.     This  pleasant  epi- 

Isode  ended  by  the  Faculty  of  the  College  conferring  upon 

Ihini  the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of  Arts — a  degree  as  hon- 

|orable  to  tiie  discrimination  oi  the  officers  of  that  eminent 

institution  as  it  was  merited  by  the  recipient. 


'fill 


50 


THE   LIFE   OP   WiNPrELD    BCOTT. 


I! 


Approaching  Philadelphia,  he  was  received  by  Qovcrnnr 
Snyder  at  the  head  of  a  division  of  militia,  who  heartily 
turned  out  to  welcome  the  soldier.  It  was  at  a  moment 
(September,  1814)  when  both  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore 
were  threatened  'y  the  British,  and  the  public  looked  to  liim, 
sick  and  wounded  as  he  was,  as  a  leader.  He  plead  his  in- 
competency for  service,  but  the  Department  made  him  the 
nominal  head  of  the  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  ""^rccs,  tliut 
his  name  might  inspire  the  confidence  and  ardor  so  necessary 
to  success,  lie  therefore  went  to  Baltimore,  where,  under  tlie 
hands  of  a  skillful  surgeon.  Dr.  Gib3on,  his  wounds  were 
eventually  healed,  though,  to  this  moment,  he  is  crippled  in 
the  shoulder. 

In  October  (1814)  General  Scott  look  up  head-quarters  at 
Washington    as    Commander  of  the   10th    military  district, 
The  winter  of   1814-15  was  spent  there,  arranging,  in  con- 
junction with  the  Department  and  President,  the  campaign 
for  1815.     It  was  decided  to  prosecute  the  war  with  the  ut- 
most vigor  on  land  and  water,  and  preparations  were,  ac- 
cordingly, making  for  heavy  enlistments  when  the  Treaty  of 
Peace  arrived,  in  February.*     This,  of  course,  virtually  dis- 
solved the  war  establishment ;  but  the  vast  foresight  shown 
by  Scott — the  Qminent  ability  which  he  betrayed,  not  only  for 
command,  but  also  for  organization  and  conduct  of  the  mil- 
itary department — his  great  personal  popularity — induced  the 
newly-elected   President    (James    Monroe)  to    offer   liim  the 
Cabinet  appointment  of  Secretai-y  of  AVar.     It  was  an  offer 
quite  unexpected  to  the  young  General,  and  was  declined, 
Scott  avers,  for  the  reason  that  he  was  not  entitled  to  such  a 
position  of  actual  seniority  over  his  elder  compatriots  in  arms. 
Monroe  then  requested  him  to  accept   the   post   as  Acting 
Secretary  until  the  return  from  Paris  of  Wm.  H.  Crawford, 
who  was  to  be  assigned  the  position.     This  request  he  also 
declined,  actuated  by  that  high  sense  of  honor  which  has 
ever  characterized  his  conduct.     He  would  not  assume  a  su- 
periority of  rank  to  which  he  was  not  justly  entitled  by  service 
and  commission.f     He  lent  his  aid,  however,  in  reducing  the 

*  Signed  at  Ghent,  December  24th,  1814 ;  ratified  by  the  XT.  S.  Senate 
February  17th,  1815. 

t  The  Secretary,  at  that  time,  was  considered  as  the  virtual  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  the  army,  though  the  constitntion  makes  the  President  tho 
Commander-in-Chief  of  both  army  and  navy. 


nra  europran  tour. 


81 


army  to  a  peace  footing.  This  done  he  arranged  for  the  tour 
of  Europe,  both  for  the  improvement  of  his  health  and  for 
proi'cssional  information.  Our  Government  was  quite  anxious 
so  accomplished  an  oftlcer  Bhould  have  an  opportunity  of  in- 
specting and  studying  the  military  establishments  of  the  great 
iiioiiurchiea,  that  our  own  might  profit  by  their  experiences. 
This  was  Scott's  only  avowed  commission,  though,  it  afterward 
transpired,  he  had  instructions  of  an  important  diplomatic 
nature,  viz. :  to  sound  the  Governments  of  France,  Russia 
and  Great  Britain  in  icf^ard  to  their  views  of  American  pol- 
ity, .md  their  probable  course  of  conduct  toward  the  Revolu- 
tionists in  South  America  and  Mexico,  who  were  then 
struggling  for  independence  of  the  Spanish  crown.  Monroe, 
at  that  early  moment,  it  would  appear  from  his  instructions 
to  Scott,  contemplated  the  principles  afterward  announced  in 
his  well-known  declaration  known  as  the  "  Monroe  Doctrine" 
of  the  non-intervention  of  European  Governments  in  the 
affairs  of  this  continent. 

Scott  arrived  in  Europe  through  England  a  few  weeks  suc- 
ceeding Napoleon's  last  magnificent  struggle  for  a  throne. 
Having  letters  to  a  large  number  of  persons  eminent  in  poli- 
ics,  science  and  war,  he  was  introduced  immediately  to  those 
circles  best  calculated  to  subserve  his  purposes.  Letters  were 
forwarded  from  the  hero  and  patriot,  Kosciusko,  then  in  Swit- 
zerland for  his  health,  giving  Scott  introduction  to  Napoleon's 
]\Iarshals,  McDonald,  Oudinot,  etc.,  which  opened  the  way  for 
pleasing  acquaintances  and  most  valuable  information.  All 
celebrated  naval  establishments,  fortresses,  arsenals  and  mili- 
tary schools  in  France,  Belgium  and  Great  Britain  were 
inspected,  from  which  much  very  valuable  information  was 
gleaned  that  has  since  been  imparted  to  our  own  military 
system.  This  busy  inspection-did  not  prevent  a  proper  dis- 
charge of  the  diplomatic  functions  committed  to  his  charge. 
An  intimacy  with  eminent  men  in  diplomatic  and  ministerial 
circles  gave  unusual  facilities  for  learning  the  views  and  pol- 
icy of  the  monarchies  in  respect  to  American  affairs,  and  he 
acted  his  part  with  such  good  results,  that  Monroe  could  not 
refrain  from  expressing  his  great  obligations,  by  letter. 

This  agreeable  and  valuable  tour  of  health  and  obsei-vation 
was  ended  in  the  summer  of  1816,  when  the  General  returned 


52 


TEE   LIFE   OF   WIKFIELD   SCOTT. 


home  with  renewed  strength.     He  was  immediatelr  assigned 
to  the  important  command  of  the  seaboard.     New  York  City 
then  became,  and  for  many  years  remained,  his  head-quarters 
and  residence.     He  wedded  (March,  1317)  Miss  31aria  Mayo. 
a  Virginia  lady  of  rare  accomplishments  of  head   and   hcuit. 
Congress,   previous  to   Scott's  departure  for  Europe,  had 
passed  a  resolution  (November  3d,  1814)  requesting  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  "  to  cause  a  gold  medal  to  be  struck, 
with  suitable  emljlems  and  devices  and  presented  to  Major- 
General  Scott,*  in  testimony  of  the  high  sense  entertained  by 
Congress  of  his  distinguished  services  in  the  successive  con- 
flicts of  Chippewa  and  Niagara,  and  of  his  Uniterm  gallantry 
and  good  conduct  in  sustaining  the  reputatior  of  tlie  arms  of 
the  United  States."  .   This  resolution  was  not  mlfilled  until  at 
the  close  of  iVIr.  Monroe's  second  term,  when  a  superb  gold 
medal,  properly  inscribed  on  the  reveree,  with  a  line  relief 
bust  of  Scott  on  the  obverse,  was  presented  to  the  gallant 
soldier  by  the  President  (Februaiy  26lh,  1825)  in  the  presence 
of  the  Cabinet  and  a  large  assemblage  of  distinguished  per- 
sons, specially  invited  to  the  Executive  Mansion.     The  ad- 
dresses on  the  occasion  were  extremely  patriotic.    In  reply  to 
the  President,  Scott  gave  n.ierance  to  this  generous  sentiment, 
recogniziiig  the  services  Ox  his  copatriots  in  arms : 

"If,  in  the  resolve  of  Congress,  or  in  your  address,  sir,  my 
individual  services  have  been  overestimated,  not  so  the  achieve- 
ments of  that  gallant  body  of  officers  and  men,  whom  in  battle 
it  was  my  good  fortune  to  command,  and  of  whom  I  am,  on 
this  interesting  occasion,  the  honored  representative. 

"Very  many  of  those  generous  spirits  breathed  their  last  on 
the  fields  which  their  valor  assisted  to  win  ;  and,  of  the  number 
that  happily  survive,  there  is  not  one,  I  dare  affirm,  who  will 
not  be  reiidy,  in  peace  as  in  ./ar,  to  devote  himself  to  the  liber- 
ties and  the  glories  of  the  country."! 

The  Virginia  Legislature  (February  12th,  1810)  passed  a 
unanimous  vole  of  thanks  to  Major-General  Scott,  "  for  his 
uniform  good  conduct  in  sustaining  the  military  reputation  of 
the  United  States,  in  every  conflict  or  engagement  in  which 

*  Aftor  tho  conflict,  at  Niairara,  while  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia,  Iho 
President  had  promoted  him  to  be  Major-Cionoral.  "  Put  him  do\Vn  Maior- 
Goiioial,''  Hiiid  Madison  ;  "  I  have  now  done  witli  ol)jections  to  hiw  youtn  I" 
refcrrinij  to  ohjcctions  he  had  previously  made  when  Scott's  fricuda  had 
Bolicited  for  him  the  rank  of  Bripidier-Ueneral  (May  t)th,  1811). 

t  MausUeld'a  Biography. 


,,,,^,   COMM...    O.   TH.   SBA.O...D. 


68 


:  assigned 
fork  City 
ri -quarters 
:ia  Mayo. 
nd  heart. 
irope,  had 
the  Pre?i- 
be  struck, 

to  Major- 
rtaiued  by 
jssive  cou- 
i  gallantry 
le  arms  of 
;d  until  at 
iperb  gold 
fine  relief 
he  gallant 
e  presence 
lished  per- 
The  ad- 
In  reply  to 

sentiment, 


CSS,  sir,  my 
he  achievc- 
)m  in  battle 
n  I  am,  on 

licir  last  on 
the  number 
n,  who  will 
Lo  the  liber- 

I)  passed  a 
tt,  "  for  his 
putation  of 
lit  in  which 

ladelphia,  Iho 
II  down  Malor- 
to  hirt  youth !" 
'8  friends  had 


»  Mn   ptr     The  resolution 

„e  .»s  P«-n'  a""»'.?';itTe™o;  shoio  present  to  Major- 
^     ;      r^rnvided  that  the  Governor  .  emblems  and 

S'sco«  ^  ••  suUa»,^  -°;f;  W  U  c^S  this  Asse,nWy 
IvTces  tliereon,  as  a  mark  "^  "^V,,?  „^.i3i,ed  services  m  the 
I»«Ls  of  his  gaUantry  and  «  f  "|  ^^„sant  and  com- 
;:  r^t  Cl>irpe-a  and  h.a^-  J^^  governor  »as 
!ft^  cntary  correspondence  P'^s*^^^  „„explained  canse,  the 
^t  Jenerai,  ;'»;;-;l  "srit -s  ^  most  magnificent 

-•""^r::rr;r8,atrand  ,he  recipient.  ^^  ^,,^ 

weupon,  woriu>  Legislature,  not  to  «'='""       *    _„„. 

The  New  "iorli  State  w  j^^^  ^^^^er,  cmpow 

eJresson  of  its  regard  for  the  M     ^^^^  ^  gcott;  wh  ch 
Z\  yovemor  Tomptos  .0  P«^°y  ^^  <,uy,  February  25tl^, 
;  s  done  in  the  City  Ha",  NeW^^o   ^^^y^^^  ^^ 
i;^  (Evacuation  my),  m*;^!^  ,,3  ,  „ol,le  specm>en  of 
citizens  and  soldiers,     x 
inerican  workmanship.     ;       ....-;'  \^V;,, 


^  -rr   \  P  T  E  B     V  1 1 1  • 

C  B  A  r    X  ,.CKSONCORH«SPONDENCB 

7::  Ce  date  of  his  --- ^SedrTo '"  autie^ 

Tsn  General  Scott  was  <^^'»^"\l  j,^  Atlantic  seaboard. 

year  18ol  wne  department  of  the  a  ^^^^^^ 

of  Us  command  ovei  occurred  the   cori    i  . 


s 


i  \\ 


54 


THE   LIFE   OP   WINPIELD   SCOTT. 


:l 


ii' 


Regulations  for  the  Army,  or  Military  Institutes,"  in  one 
volume,  octavo,  was  published  in  1821.  It  embodied  every 
thing  required  in  camp,  garrison  or  field  service,  for  militia 
and  regulars,  and  proved  exceedingly  acceptable.  His  pre- 
vious preparation  for  such  a  work  insured  for  it  that  effi- 
ciency, thoroughnev=;j  and  a^d^ptability  necessary  to  fit  it  to 
our  varied  necessities  and  extraordinary  circumstances  of 
regular  and  irregular  warfare  against  foreign  foes,  Indians, 
domestic  malcontents,  etc.,  etc.  No  country  on  the  globe 
offers  such  service  as  the  soldier  must  here  encounter.  That 
the  *'  Institutes"  proved  thoroughly  available  shows  the  author 
to  have  given  the  matter  a  vast  deal  of  study.  His  exper  ence 
in  Europe  enabled  him  to  prof  t  by  the  good  iii  both  tlie 
English  and  French  systems.  >^ 

Previous  to  the  appearance  of  this  volume,  he  had  presided 
at  a  board  of  oflBcers  called  to  prepare  a  system  of  infantry 
tactics.  The  report  adopted  chiefly  embodied  the  system  used 
in  the  Buffalo  Camp  of  Instruction.  A  further  elaboration  and 
revision  becoming  necessary,  to  extend  its  application  for 
more  general  service,  a  second  ofllcial  board  was  convened, 
of  which  Scott  again  was  president.  The  report  adopted  was 
published  in  1825.  It  embraced  the  system  of  the  '*  Institutes," 
with  slight  modifications. 

In  1826  a  third  board  was  ordered,  to  be  composed  of  dis- 
tinguished general  oflScers  both  of  the  regular  and  militia 
service,  to  decide  upon  and  report  for  official  promulgation : — 

A  plan  for  the  organization  and  instruction,  of  the  entire 
militia  of  the  Union — 

A  system  of  tactics  for  artillery — 

A  system  of  tactics  for  cavalry — 

A  system  of  infantry  and  rifle  tactics. 

The  report  adopted  was  drawn  up  by  Scott.  It  was  ofli- 
cially  ordered  published  for  the  more  thorough  organization 
of  the  militia  tlirougliout  the  country,  and  soon  became  "  the 
law"  in  military  circles.        i.,    !,  >    . 

By  order  of  Congress  he  published,  in  three,  16mo.,  volumes 
(1835),  his  "Infantry  Tactics."  It  embodied  such  improve- 
ments as  had  been  ingrafted  upon  the  systems  of  France  and 
Great  Britain  succeeding  the  wars  of  Napoleon. 

Scott,  having  witnessed  the  demoralizing  effects  of  intem- 


CONTROVERST   IN   REGARD   TO   BREVET   RANK. 


55 


perance,  in  tire  army,  became  nn  advocate  of  temperance  at  a 
date  long  prior  to  the  "  refonners."  In  1831  he  published  his 
"Scheme  for  Restricting  the  Use  of  Ardent  Spirits  in  tlie 
United  States."  It  was  a  most  able  document,  and  so  thor- 
ouglily  exhaustive  in  its  practical  argument  that  few  later 
writers  or  orators  have  been  able  to  add  to  its  force.  It 
assumed  the  ytand-point  of  positive  abstinence,  and,  from  the 
general  attention  which  It  commanded  from  the  reading,  reflect- 
ing public,  paved  the  way  for  the  reform  movement,  which 
may  be  said  to  have  commenced  in  1825,  under  the  preaching 
of  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher.  .  ,       ^  «     r. 

Tlie  controversy  with  General  Gaines,  on  the  rights  con- 
ferred by  brevet  commissions,  occurred  in  1828-29.  It  arose 
from  the  following  circumstances:  Mr.  Adams  comissioned 
General  Macomb,  as  well  as  General  Gaines,  Major-Generals. 
Scott  claimed  that  the  commission  belonged  to  him  from  his 
having  been  previously  brevetted  Major-General — that  a  brevet 
gave  rank,  and,  if  so,  that  his  seniority  placed  him  before  Gen- 
eral Macomb  or  Gaines.  To  lay  his  claims  before  the  country 
and  Congress  he  memorialized  Congress  to  enact  a  declaratory 
statute  giving  to  a  brevet  the  rights  of  actual  rank  in  order  of 
promotion.  This  opened  up  the  whole  question  in  Congress, 
and  elicited  much  controversy  in  public  circles.  Congress 
seemed  to  regard  the  brevet  as  conferring  no  rank,  since  it 
refused  to  pass  this  declaratory  act  asked  for  by  Scott.  Where- 
upon he  sent  in  his  resignation — feeling  that  he  was  over- 
slaughed. This  resignation  was  placed  on  file  but  not  ac- 
cepted, and  some  months  after  was  withdrawn.  Frdc  i  letter 
to  the  Secretary  of  "War,  Eaton,  dated  New  York,  Is o.  ember 
10th,  1829,  we  may  quote  : — 

"Humbly  protesting  that  this  order  deprives  me  of  rights 
guaranteed"  by  those  articles*  and  the  uniform  practice  of  the 
array  under  them,  from  the  commencement  of  the  government 
down  to  the  year  1828,  when  the  new  construction  was  first 
adopted  against  me ;  in  obedience  to  the  universal  advice  of  my 
friends,  who  deem  it  incumbent  on  me  to  sacrifice  my  own 
convictions  and  feelings  to  what  may,  bj^  an  apt  error,  be 
considered  the  repeated  decision  of  the  civil  authority  of  my 
country,  I  have  brouglit  myself  to  make  that  sacrifice,  and 
therefore  withdraw  the  tender  of  my  resignation  now  on  file  in 
your  Department. 

*  GlBt  and  C2cl  articles  of  war,  relative  to  rauk  and  command. 


II' 


k-^. 


'II 


56 


V  THE    LIFE    OF    WIKFIELD    SCOTT. 


"  I  also  ask  leave  to  surrender  the  remainder  of  the  furlough 
the  Department  was  kind  enough  to  extend  to  me,  m  April  la.-,!, 
and  to  report  myself  for  duty." 

The  furlough  referred  to  was  granted  for  a  second  trip  to 
Europe,  made  during  the  summer  of  1829,  in  which  he  visited 
France,  Belgium,  Germany,  etc. 

The  Secretary  of  War  wrote  to  Scott  very  cordially,  on  tie 

13th  November,  in  reply  to  his     ote  above  quoted.     xVmong 

other  things  he  said  : — 

"None  will  do  you  the  injustice  to  suppose  that  the  opinious 
declared  by  you  upon  this  subject  are  not  the  result  of  retlic- 
tious  and  convictions;  but,  since  the  constituted  authorities  of 
the  Government  have,  with  the  best  feelings  entertained,  come 
to  concisions  adverse  to  your  own,  no  other  opinion  was 
cherished,  or  was  hoped  for,  but  that,  on  j'our  return  to  the 
United  States,  you  would  adopt  the  course  3'our  letter  indicate^, 
and  with  good  feelings  resume  those  duties  of  which  she  has  su 
long  had  the  benefit." 

He  was  ordered  to  report  for  duty,  therefore,  on  the  20tli 
of  November,  to  Commanding  General  Alexander  Macomb, 
and  did  so  report,  when  he  was  assigned  to  the  Eastern  de- 
partment— the  charge  of  which  so  long  virtually  had  been  in 
his  hands.  He  continued  in  the  discharge  of  the  multifarious 
and  important  duties  of  this  trust  until  ordered  to  the  Western 
department  to  assume  direction  of  the  hostilities  against  the 
Indians  under  Black  Hawk,  in  Illinois  and  Iowa. 


CHAPTER     IX. 

THB  BLACK  HAWK  WAR — AWFCL  DEVASTATION'S  OP  THE  CHOLERA — SCOTT's 
KINDNKS3  AS  A  NUttSU — UATUEttlXG  OF  I.NDIA.VS  AT  BOCK  ISLAND— 
TUBATY — CASS'  LETTER  OF  THANKS  TO  SCOTT — UETURN  TO  NEW  VORK— 
OBUERKD  BV  JACKSON  TO  TUB  SOfTFI — HISTOIIY  OF  THE  NULLIFICATION 
MOVEMENT  IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA — Tli  K  LAWS  TO  BE  ENFORCED  AT  ALL 
HAZARDS  —  SCOTT  IN  COMMAND  AT  CHAKi-hSTON — HIS  RRmARKABI.!: 
DISCRETION  AND  ITS  GOOD  UESI  LT3— THE   TBOUBl.ES  PEACEyULLV  ENDED. 

Stahting  for  Buffalo  in  July  (1832),  with  1,000  troops,  en 
route  f(jr  the  scene  of  hostilities  with  the  Western  Indians, 
the  Asiatic  cholera  broke  out  among  the  men  and  almost 
paralyzed  the  expedition.  The  steamer  Henr^  Clay,  loaded 
with  troops,  put  in  to  For.  Cratiot,  on  Lake  Huron,  and, 


PEACE-TREATY. 


67 


out  of  400,  only  150  were  left  by  the  pestilence  and  the  deser- 
tion which  the  fear  of  it  caused.  The  SJieUion  Thompson, 
in  which  Scott  embarked,  pushed  on  to  Chicago,  her  dcstiua- 
tiou,  but,  out  of  220  nlcn  and  officers,  51  died  of  the  terrible 
disease.  During  the  few  days  in  which  it  prevailed,  Scott, 
utterly  regardless  of  his  own  life  or  comfort,  gave  up  his 
time  to  the  duties  of  a  nurse,  aud  did  every  thing  in  his  power 
to  alleviate  sulfering. 

As  soon  as  the  disease  abated  he  Imrried  forward  to  the 
seat  of  war,  joining  General  Atkinson  on  the  Mississippi  river, 
at  Prairie  du  Chien  (August  3d), — the  day  succeeding  the 
decisive  defeat  of  the  Indians  under  Black  Hawk,  at  Bad  Axe, 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Iowa  river.  The  troops  of  Scott,  re- 
duced to  about  400  followed,  as  soon  as  the  state  of  the  sick 
would  allow.  The  entire  force  soon  descended  to  Rock  Island, 
where  the  cholera  again  made  its  appearance,  in  its  most 
virulent  form,  appalling  whites  and  Indians  equally.  Until 
September  8th  disease  and  death  stalked  through  camp,  car- 
I  rying  off  a  large  number  of  soldiers  and  officers.  Scott  was  a 
"  ministering  angel,"  to  use  the  words  of  one  who  was  present. 
He  spared  no  exertions  to  stay  the  disease,  and,  by  his  own 
calm  example,  greatly  served  to  allay  the  fear  and  terror 
!  which  it  inspired. 

Tlie  cholera  disappeared,  very  suddenly,  after  September  8th. 
Not  returning,  about  the  middle  of  the  month  the  Indians 
were  called  in  for  a  final  treaty  of  peace  and  amity — Scott 
aud  Governor  Heynolds  of  Illinois  acting,  by  authority,  as 
United  States  commissioners.  The  Sac  and  Fox  nation,  the 
"Winnebagoes,  Sioux,  and  3Ienomonees  all  were  represented, 
and,  after  weeks  of  negotiation  two  important  treaties  were 
S!i,nicd,  which  ceded  to  Government  a  vast  region  of  fertile  ter- 
ritory—now embraced  in  the  States  of  Iowa  aud  Wisconsin. 
Tliese  duties,  well  and  wisely  discharged,  Avon  from  General 
Cass— then  Secretary  of  War — the  following  expression  : — 

"Allow  me  to  congratulate  you,  sir,  upon  this  fortunate 
consummation  of  your  arduous  duties,  and  to  exi>ress  my 
entire  approbation  of  the  whole  course  of  your  proceedings, 
during  a  series  of  difficulties  requiring  higher  moral  courage 
than  the  Operations  of  an  active  campaign,  under  ordinary 
circumstances."* 

•Mansfield's  Biography. 


I'l 


88 


THE   LIFE   OP   WrSFrELD   SCOTT. 


fit 


Arrivin"  in  New  York,  from  the  West,  in  October  (lS3'2i 
Scott  had  scarcely  time  for  repose  when  he  was  summoned  to 
Washington.  The  nullification  of  United  States  revcuuf 
laws  in  South  Carolina  threatened  a  contlict  of  no  ordinary 
character.  Government  was  called  upon  to  exercise  extraor- 
dinary discretion  in  tlie  appointment  of  its  agents.  Jack- 
son had  determined  to  enforce  the  laws,  even  to  an  invasion 
of  South  Carolina  with  a  large  army,*  but  preferred  to  u.>.' 
every  civil  means  to  restore  the  state  to  authority  ere  In.' 
resorted  to  offensive  action.  Scott  was  cho.seii  contidenti:il 
messenger,  as  appears  from  an  order,  issued  by  the  Secre- 
tary of  War  (Lewis  Cass)  November  18th  18G0  by  which  he- 
was  to  proceed  to  Charleston,  inspect  the  forts,  Moultrie  and 
Castle  Pinckney,  provide  for  any  dangers  to  which  thev 
might  be  exposed  by  strengthening  defenses  and  reinforcing' 
the  garrisons  and  act  in  concert  with  the  Collector  of  the 
port  and  the  United  States  District  Attorney  of  South  Carolina 
in  fulfillment  of  the  requisitions  of  the  General  Government. 

Arriving  in  Charleston  November  28th,  he  found  the  people 
in  the  utmost  excitement.  Two  days  previously  the  Conven- 
tion ordered  by  the  Legislature  to  determine  upon  the  course 
of  action  of  the  State,  had  passed  its  ordinance  of  nullifica- 
tion, in  T'liich  the  authority  of  the  Federal  Executive  was  sot 
at  defiance,  and  the  state  proclaimed  superior  to  the  General 
Government.  The  6th  section  of  the  instrument  declared,  that, 
should  the  General  Government  delegate  force  to  enforce  the 
laws,  or  seek  to  coerce  the  State  by  a  blockade  of  its  ports, 
South  Carolina  icould  consider  the  Union  dissohed^  and  wou'd 
.proceed  to  orpanize  a  separate  government.  It  may,  therefore, 
be  surmised  that  Scott's  mission  was  one  well  calculated  to 
test  his  patriotism  and  his  wisdom.  The  people  were  not  to 
penetrate  the  purpose  of  his  visit  lest  they  should  precipi- 
tate a  force  upon  the  forts  and  arsenal  ere  they  could  be 
defended.  His  custom  of  annually  visiting  every  fort 
and  arsenal  in  the  department  offered  a  good  disguisp  for  his 
presence,  and  enabled  him  to  execute  his  inspections  and 

*  See,  for  interepting  facts  concerning  this  remarkable  controversy 
betwee^i  a  State  and  the  General  Government— Niles'  Register,  vol.  43  ; 
Parton's  Life  of  Jackson,  etc.  Also  see,  for  an  interesting  expression  of 
Jack>'on'9  opinions,  the  recently  published  Life  of  General  Sam  Dale. 
Munsfleld  gives  a  well  digested  statement  of  the  matter. 


THE   NrLLIPICATION   MOVEMENT. 


50 


movements  with  great  completeness,  without  exciting  the 
suspicions  of  the  State  authorities  or  provoldug  the  temper 
of  the  bellicose  populace. 

He  passeil  on  to  Augusta  and  secretly  placed  the  arsenal 
tliere  in  order  of  defense.-  The  fortifications  of  Savannah 
were  also  quietly  reinforced  to  a  state  of  complete  security. 
Tliis  accomplished  he  returned  to  Charleston,  where  a  num- 
ber of  armed  vessels  seemed  to  drop  in  by  accldsnt.  These 
wore  so  disposed  as  to  act  promptly  in  event  of  emergency. 
It  was  determined  by  the  Collector  and  District  Attorney,  to 
collect  the  revenue  under  the  guns  of  Fort  3Ioultrie,  should 
tlie  South  Carolinians,  after  February  1st — the  time  chosen  by 
the  "ordinance"  to  resist  the  authority  of  Congress  if  the 
revenue  law  was  not  moditied  to  suit  the  tastes  of  that  State 
—attempt  to  nullify  the  laws. 

Every  thing  being  thus  admirably  prepared  to  enforce  the 
collection  of  the  revenue,  Scott  sailed  for  New  York  where 
siicli  other  steps  were  taken  as  were  necessary  to  insure  ex- 
tensive reinforcements  of  both  army  and  navy  if  they  should 
be  requirecL  Of  course  the  public,  generally,  knew  nothing  of 
tliese  movements : — the  newspapers  of  that  day  were  not  so 
"  enterprising "  as  to  pry  into  the  most  important  secrets  of 
Government,  and  to  publish  all  they  i.new  and  a  little  more,  by 
adding  surmises  to  facts,  to  the  great  detriment  of  their  coun- 
try. Consequently,  Scott  again  sailed,  (late  in  January,  1833) 
to  Charleston  harbor  unheralded,  and  was  in  Fort  Moultrie 
for  a  number  of  days  ere  the  Charlestonians  themselves  knew 
of  his  presence.  Then  they  first  awakened  to  a  realizing 
sense  of  their  condition : — there  were  means,  at  the  disposal 
of  the  Federal  officers,  for  enforcing  the  laws,  and  Scott  was 
to  be  the  instrument  of  such  enforcement. 

The  nullifiers  were  extremely  angered  at  this  state  of  affairs, 
while  the  Unionists — a  strong  and  powerful  party — were 
deliglited.  The  latter  had  been  somewhat  overawed  by  the 
violence  of  the  nullifiers,  whose  party  comprised  all*  the 
worst  elements  and  some  of  the  best  elements  of  the  State  ; 
but,  now  that  the  Government,  to  which  they  owed  their  first 
allegiance,  had  shown  its  ability  and  willingness  to  protect 
them,  the  law  and  order  men  came  out  boldly  for  the  Union 
and  the  laws.     This  threw  new  force  into   the  excitement, 


60 


THE    LIFE   OP   WIXFIELD   8C0TT. 


and,  before  February  1st,  the  people  were  waging  anion? 
themselves  a  storm  of  factions  -which,  lor  a  while,  threatened 
bloodshed  and  all  the  hcrroi-s  of  civil  strife. 

During  this  internecine  war  the  United  States  ofliccr; 
and  troops  were  extremely  cautions  not  to  give  cause  for  anv 
outburst  of  violence  toward  them,  on  the  part  of  the  excited 
nuUifiers.  They,  treated  all  courteously,  and,  even  rendered 
Buch  implicit  obedience  to  orders  as  not  to  resent  indiguititj 
frequently  offered  them  in  the  streets,  and.  on  the  waters  of 
the  harbor. 

The  1st  of  February  came ;  when  the  belligerents  thouglu 
it  pnident  to  "  wait  a  little  longer"  before  inaugurating  the 
war  with  Government,  and  a  few  of  the  leading  nullifiers  of 
Charleston,  therefore,  assembled,  just  before  the  1st  of  Febru- 
ary, to  agree  rwt  to  enforce  the  said  "  ordinance,"  passed  bv 
convention  of  the  whole  State,  until  after  the  adjournment  of 
Congress  (March  3d).  So  effectually  was  the  whole  move- 
ment of  resistance  to  authority  in  the  hands  of  a  few  men. 

This  virtually  ended  nullification,  since  it  paved  the  way 
for  the  "  Compromise  Act,"  which  in  its  turn  resulted  in  the 
rescinding  of  the  "  ordinance "  by  the  Legislature  of  South 
Carolina  when  the  state  became  comparatively  quiet.  The 
partial  success  of  the  "  result,"  however,  gave  the  nucleus  to 
a  faction,  led  by  John  C.  Calhoun,  which  ever  afterward  con- 
temned the  General  Goverment,  and,  in  later  years  assumed, 
undisguisedly,  the  front  of  treason  to  the  Constitution. 

Scott  played  a  most  delicate  and  important  part  in  this 
matter,  for  with  him  really  rested  the  issue  of  peace  or  blood. 
One  injudicious  act — one  hasty  word — one  failure  to  take  advan- 
tage of  every  opportunity  offered  for  pacification — might  have 
proven  fatal  to  all  compromise  or  adjustment  except  at  tlio 
bayonet's  point.  The  Government  chose  most  wisely  in  send- 
ing him  thither,  and  the  country  has  ever  felt  that  his  wisdom 
and  prudence  averted  a  conflict  between  the  State  and  the 
General  Government  which  must  have  cost  all  parties  dearly. 

Alas,  that  the  same  wisdom  and  prudence  had  not  been 
permitted  the  control  of  affairs  in  1860 ! 


THE    FLORIDA    WAR. 


61 


CHAPTER     X. 

IfHE  FLORIDA  WAtt— IXDIAN  AXD  NKGRO  OUTUAQKS — SCOTT  TAKBS  COU- 
MAN'f)  AQAIN'ST  THEM — MASCU  OF  TUB  AUMT  TO  WYTHLACOOCHKB — 
KO  EN'KMV  FOUND — SCOUTING  PAttTIKS  AND  THEIB  IM.  SUCCKS3 — THB 
CRKEKS  IN  ARMS — SCOTT  SUPPRKiiSBS  TUEM — IS  ORDRKGD  TO  W.^SHINQ- 
TON'  ON  CHARGES  PBKFERRBD  BT  GENERAL  JESDP — COtlUT  OF  INQUIRE 
— SCOTT's  course  SUSTAINKD — HIS  SPBKCH — JACKSON's  OBSTINACT"  ILLU8- 
TKATKD — HONORS   TO   SCOTT   BY   THB   PEOPLE. 

The  Florida  War  originated  in  1835.     The  Indians  and 
I  runaway  negroes  inhabiting  the  Evei:ghide9,  feeling  aggrieved 
with  the  whites,  resolved  upon  war.     Osceola,  a  half-breed 
chief,  of  Creek  extraction,  commenced  the  struggle  by  mur- 
dering the  Indian  agent.  General  Thompson  and  several  others, 
I  under  the  guns  of  Fort  King.     Volunteers  were  called  out, 
and,  with  the  regulars — in   all  about  two   hundred  strong, 
[under  command  of  General  Clinch  —  marched  against  the 
Indians  then  quartered  upon  the  Wythlacoochee  river.     The 
i  savages,  anticipating  the  attack,  threw  themselves  upon  tho 
whites  (December  31st),  but  were  repelled,  after  a  most  furious 
fi2:ht.     Osceola  was  the  very  spirit  of  carnage,  and  only  drew 
off  his  warriors,  after  extraordinary  exhibitions  of  courage, 
to  gather  them  for  greater  combats. 

Three  days  previously,  Major  Dade's  troop,  of  113 
regulars  was  almost  entirely  exterminated  by  these  same 
warriors— only  three  of  the  entire  number  escaping!  This 
most  ferocious  slaughter,  and  the  continued  murders  of 
phiuters,  burning  of  houses,  destruction  of  stock,  etc.,  proved 
the  Seminoles  to  be  on  the  "  war-path"  in  earnest,  and  called 
for  the  exercise  of  the  most  rigorous  measures,  by  the  Govern- 
ment. Scott  was  ordered  thither,  January  30th,  1836,  reach- 
in^-  Picolata  (near  St.  Augustine)  February  22d,  from  whence 
he  immediately  Issued  his  general  orders,  constituting  the 
army  of  operations.  The  army  was  organized  in  three  divi- 
«iona,  comprising  1,200  regulars  and  a  strong  body  of 
volunteers  and  militia  from  the  adjoining  States.  All 
being  arranged  the  march  was  taken  up  for  the  Wythlacoo- 
chee river — the  scene  of  Dade's  slaughter  and  Clinch's  encoun- 
ter with  Osceola  and  his  warriors.     But,  though  the  country 


THE   LIFE    OP   'NVINFIELD   8C0TT. 


was  carefully  searched,  no  village  or  encampment  of  tlio  rav- 
ages was  discovered,  and  only  occasional  small  parties  of  the 
Seminoles  and  their  more  savage  allies,  the  runaway  mirrocs, 
were  met.  These  would  fight  fiercely  for  n  while,  then 
flee,  baffling  all  pursuit.  The  everglades  offered  a  niicat 
impenetrable  to  the  foot  of  the  white  :  only  the  savage,  trained 
to  the  swamps,  could  live  in  their  fever-breeding  silences,  or 
find  food  and  shelter  there. 

The  army,  in  its  several  divisions,  came  together,  at  Tamp:i 
Bay,  having  passed  much  to  the  south  of  Wythlacoochce,  in 
a  vain  search  for  the  Indians.  Fever-stricken,  worn  with 
exhausting  marches  through  morasses  and  almost  impenetrable 
jungles,  hungering  for  the  very  necessaries  of  life,  they  came 
into  the  rendezvous  at  Tampa,  conscious  of  their  inability  to 
conquer  climate  and  disease.  It  then  became  apparent  tliat 
scouting-parties  only  could  be  made  serviceable  in  ferreting 
out  the  wily  enemy.  Five  parties,  therefore,  were  organized, 
under  the  most  experienced  leaders — Scott  assuming  command 
of  one — which,  taking  different  routes,  still  failed  to  find  tluir 
foe's  head-quarters.  Only  small  parties  were  occasionally 
seen,  which  disappeared  as  mysteriously  as  foxes  in  their  bur- 
rows after  giving  the  whites  a  sharp,  and  not  always  bloodless, 
reception. 

The  campaign  was  abandoned  until  a  new  system  of  war- 
fare could  be  instated,  viz. :  that  of  making  frequent  posts 
and  depots  in  the  heart  of  the  Indian  country,  from  which 
small  guerrilla-parties  should  hunt  the  Indians  as  tigers  would 
be  hunted  in  their  lairs.  Scott  was  convinced  that  this  course 
only  could  prove  effectual,  and  that,  even  if  pursued  zealously, 
it  would  take  some  time  to  bring  the  infuriated  savages  and 
wild  negroes  to  terms.  How  after  experiences  confirmed  his 
judgment !  * 

In  his  report  to  the  Department,  (April  30th)  he  says : 

"  To  end  this  war  I  am  now  persuaded  that  not  less  than 

3,000  troops  are  indispensable;  2,400  infantry,  and  600  horse; 

the  country  to  be  scoured  and  occupied  requiring  that  number." 

"  Two  or  three  steamers,  with  a  light  draught  of  water,  and  fifty 

or  sixty  barges  capable  of  carrying  from  ten  to  fifteen  men 

each  "  were  recommended. 

*  MaiiBfleld  estimates  that  tlio  Florida  War  cost  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment 2,000  liveB  and  twenty  millions  of  dollurs.  Florida,  like  some  other 
Southern  States,  would  have  <i  nice  bank  account  to  squaro  if  fiUe  wai 
called  upon  by  Uncle  Sam  to  fooi  her  own  bills  I 


COURT    OP   INQUIRY. 


68 


Emissaries  of  the  daring  Osceola  had  been  busy  among  the 
Creek  Indians  in  Georgia  ;  and  hostilities  in  their  country 
compelled  Scott  to  hasten  thither  about  the  middle  of  May 
(18;10).  So  vigorously  were  these  malcontents  dealt  with  that, 
by  July,  their  resistance  was,  virtually,  at  an  end.  Most  of 
the  warriors  were  secured  as  prisoners,  and  the  tribe  was  dis- 
posed to  accept  the  treaty  proposed  by  the  United  States 
Government. 

At  this  time  (July  9th)  Scott  was  suddenly  and  perempto- 
rily recalled  to  "Washington  to  answer  charges  preferred  by 
General  Jesup,  who  had  written,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Blair,  that 
Scott's  "  course  had  been  destructive  to  the  best  interests  of 
the  country."  This  being  shown  to  Jackson,  according  to 
Jcsup's  expressed  wish,  he  hastily  ordered  Scott  home  that  an 
inquiry  might  be  made  into  the  delay  in  prosecuting  the  Creek 
war  (!)  and  the  failure  of  the  campaign  against  the  Seminoles. 
A  most  discourteous  summons,  to  say  the  least,  but  one 
entirely  characteristic  of  t?  e  irascible  President.  General 
Jesup  had  been  censured  by  Scott  for  disobedience  to  orders, 
and  wrote  his  beliefs  as  above  quoted,  to  Mr.  Blair,  knowing  it 
would  reach  the  President's  notice  and  probably  would  pro- 
duce Scott's  recall.  He  guessed  shrewdly,  awakening  in 
Jackson's  bosom  the  remembrance  of  his  former  belligerent 

i  feelings  toward  the  General. 

Scott  immediately  posted  for  Washington.     Arrived  there 

j  be  demanded  a  court  of  inquiry ;  but,  notwithstanding  his 
desire  for  an  early  hearing,  not  until  October  3d  did  the  court 

j  assemble,  i ,  Frederick,  Maryland.     It  was  composed  of  Major- 

I  General  ]\Iacomb  and  Brigadier-Generals  Brady  and  Atkinson. 

[After  a  session,  necessarily  protracted  by  delays  in  the  attend- 
ance of  witnesses  called  from  the  South,  the  court  rendered  a 
verdict  of  entire  approval  of  his  course.  The  Seminole  cam- 
paign was  declared  to  have  been  well  devised  and  prosecuted 

'witli  energy,  steadiness  and  ability.     The  Creek  campaign 

j "  was  well  calculated  to  lead  to  successful  results,  and  it  wa8 
prosecuted,  as  far  as  practicable,  with  zeal  and  ability  until  he 
(Scott)  was  recalled  from  the  command."  Scott  conducted 
his  own  case  before  the  court.  His  summing-up  speech  was 
a  model  of  earnest  eloqueuv^e,  fearless  expression  and  cogency 
of  conclusion.     We  may  quote  fVom  the  peroration  as  it  waa 

I  reported  for  the  "  National  Intelligencer :"  ^ 


!|1 


THE   LIFE   OP   W  INFIELD   SCOTT. 


m 


M 


"  When  a  Doge  of  Genoa,  for  some  imaginary  offense,  impntrd 
by  Louis  XIV.,  "Nvas  torn  from  hia  Government  and  coniix'Ued 
to  visit  France,  in  order  to  debase  himself  before  that  intlatdl 
monarch,  lie  was  asked,  in  the  palace,  what  struck  him  with 
the  greatest  wonder  amid  the  ])laze  of  magnificence  in  his  view. 
*  To  find  mywlf  here !'  was  the  reply  of  the  indignant  Lcscarn, 
And  so,  Mr.  President,  unable,  as  I  am,  to  remember  one  blunder  I 
in  my  recent  operations,  or  a  single  duty  neglected,  I  may  say,  | 
that  to  find  myself  in  the  presence  of  this  honorable  court. 
while  the  army  I  but  recently  commanded  is  still  in  pursuit  of  | 
the  enemy,  fills  me  with  equal  grief  and  astonishment. 

"  And  whence  this  great  and  humiliating  transition?    It  id 
sir,  by  the  fiat  of  one,  who,  from  his  exalted  station,  and  ye; 
more  from  his  unequaled  popularity,  has  never,  with  his  higli 
displeasure,  struck  a  functicmary  of  this  Government,  no  matter 
what  the  office  of  the  individual,  humble  or  elevated,  who  wa? 
not  from  that  moment  withered  in  the  general  confidence  of 
the  American  people.    Yes,  sir,  it  is  my  misfortune  to  lie  under 
the  displeasure  of  that  most  distinguished  personage.    Tli« 
President  of  the  United  States  has  said, '  Let  General  Scott  kl 
recalled  from  the  command  of  the  army  in  the  field,  and  submiil 
his  conduct  in  the  Seminole  and  Creek  campaigns  to  a  court  fori 
investigation.'    And  lo !  I  stand  here  to  vindicate  that  conductj 
which  must  again  be  judged  in  the  last  resort,  by  him  who  firsil 
condemned  it  without  trial  or  inquiry.    Be  it  so.    I  shall  no;j 
supplicate  this  court,  nor  the  authority  that  has  to  review  tlitj 
'  opinion '  here  given.    On  the  contrary,  I  shall  proceed  at  once 
to  challenge  your  justice  to  render  me  that  honorable  discharai 
from  all  blame  or  censure  which  the  recorded  evidence  imperi 
ously  demands.    With  such  discharge  before  him,  end  enliglitl 
ened  by  the  same  mass  of  testimony,  every  word  of  wliiiil 
speaks  loudly  in  my  favor,  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  arniyl 
and  the  navy  can  not  hesitate ;  he  must  acquiesce,  and  tluiJ 
although  nothing  may  ever  compensate  me  for  the  deep  mortil 
fication  I  have  been  recently  made  to  experience,  I  may  ho|i«| 
to  regain  that  portion  of  the  public  esteem  which  it  was  ni;| 
happiness  to  enjoy  on  past  occasions  of  deep  moment  to  thtj 
power  and  the  glory  of  the  United  States  of  America.''* 

Scott's  exculpation  from  blame  was  complete,  in  the  e?ti| 
mation  of  all  military  men,  and,  indeed,  in  the  minds  of  al| 
classes ;  but,  the  burning  sense  of  indignation  which  icoulm 
word  itself  in  his  speech  lay  like  fire  upon  Jackson's  implal 
cable  bosom.  He  had  to  acquiesce  in  the  judgment  of  tli| 
court,  but  was  none  the  more  pleased  for  that.  Ho  swore, 
his  own  choice  grammar,  "  by  the  Eternal,  the  Seminoles  aDJ| 

•  Qlven  in  Maneflcld's  Biography  at  greater  length. 


HONORS   TO   SCOTT   BY    THE    PEOPLE. 


65 


>cek8  were  not  wliippod  quick  enough."  Like  the  astute 
ihilosophcT  who,  believing  the  world  to  be  an  extended  plain, 
tiuii!^  the  poor  men  of  science  who  proved  the  world  to  be  a 
jlohe,  Jackson  resolved  to  believe  in  himself  and  therefore 
positively  refused  to  restore  Scott  to  the  command  in  the 
soiitii.  In  this  he  opposed  the  earnest  wishes  of  the  best  of 
ttu'ii  in  and  out  of  Congress,  and,  doubtless,  took  a  real  ^atis- 
jliction  ill  that  opi)osition  ;  but,  the  injustice  of  his  course  was 
10110  the  less  remarked.  In  Congress,  Richard  Biddle,  of 
\Minsylvania,  gave  the  subject  a  most  eloquent  exposition— 
|lie  newspapers  took  the  matter  in  hand  and  came  to  Scott's 
Jifi'iisc  and  aid  ;  but,  all  to  no  purpose — he  was  not  restored 
|o  the  command  ;  and  General  Jackson  lived  to  learn  that 
obstinacy  was  not  the  best  policy  : — it  took  six  years  of  most 
Expensive  campaign 'ng  under  other  Generals  to  subdue  the 
Seminules. 

Tlie  feeling  excited  by  this  persecution  of  Scott  by  the 

'rcskleiit  and  General  Jesup,  was  not  confined  to  military 

b(l  political  circles.     The  people  took  such  interest  in  the 

pse  as  to  offer  the  injured    General  sympathy,  in  various 

pleasant  ways.     A  large  number  of  the  leading  citizens  of 

few  York  city  tendered  him  a  public  dinner — an  invitation 

ii  first  accepted  but  ufterward  declined,  owing  to  the  terrible 

pmmercial  crisis  vvjicli  came  upon  the  country  at  that  time 

May,  1837).     The  declination  called  forth  from  the  subscribers 

tor  the  intended  dinner  such  resolutions  of  appreciation  and 

pnsideration  as  must  have  been  deeply  gratifying   to    the 

3l(lier.     Similar  invitations  were   extended  by  citizens  of 

3veral  other  cities,  but  were  declined  for  the  same  reasons 

irged  in  case  of  the  Metropolitan  recepMon — reasons  creditable 

|o  his  heart  and  to  his  disinterested  regard  for  the  public 

real. 


66 


THE   LIFE    OP   WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


11 


CHAPTER     XI. 

THB  "patriot"  war— SCOTt's  INSTRITMENTALITT  IN  ITS  SnPPRESSION-l 
ORDERED  TO  HEMOVR  THE  CHEROKKES — REMARKABLK  DISCHARGG  OP  I 
DUTY — AGAIN  ORDERED  TO  THE  NORTHERN  FRONTIER  TO  REPRESS  AMER.i 
ICAN  INVASION  OF  CANADA — HIS  SUCCESS— THI!  MAINE  "OUNDARY  DIS| 
PUTE — SCOTT  EMPOWERED  TO  ACT — PROCEEDS  TO  MAINE — HIS  SAGA. 
CJOUS  POLICY  AND  PEACEFUL  SETTLEMENT  OF  THE  AFFAIR — WINS  TH|| 
TITLE   OF  "  THB   GREAT  PACIFICATOR." 

The  "  Patriot, '  war  is  still  fresli  in  the  memory  of  thous- 
ands living  along  the   northern  frontier,     Originatinsr,  like 
most  revolutions,  in  the  fertile  brains  of  uneasy  spirits,  it  at  I 
one  time  threatened  to  embroil  this  Government  in  serious 
trouble  with  Great  Britain.     The  yoke  of  the  English  cromi 
never  has  rested  easily  upon  the  French  inhabitants  of  tlie 
Canadas.     They  arc.  almost  without  exception,  rigid  Romap. 
Catholics— the  English  are  Protestant :  they  are  purely  Gallic  | 
in  blood — the  English  are  Anglo  Saxon  with  a  strong  admix- 
ture of  the  stern  Scotch  element ;   they  are  clannish,  uncom- 
promising, unloyal — the  English,  equally  sectional  and  obsti- 
nate, are  loyal  to  their  Queen  to  the  la^st.     It  is  not  strange  I 
that  such  negatives  should  not  assimilate,  and  it  is  not  a  mut- 
ter of  surprise  that  the  French,  in  Lower  Canada,  should  hatch  | 
revolt. 

Late  in  18?7  the  movement  took  shape,  and  broke  opc  into] 
open  insurrection.     The   Canadians  in  Upper  Canada   eoonj 
caught  the  infection.     The  cry  of  "Freedom  and  a  Confed- 
eracy of  our  own"  flew  from  Quebec  to  the  Georgian  wilds.  I 
It  crossed  the  frontier  to  arouse  enthusiasm  and  sympathy. 
Let  the  rallying  cry  only  be  "Liberty!"  and  our  American 
population  would  ci'-operate  in  a  scheme  for  invading  Siberia 
if  a  leader  could  be  found  for  such  a  frigid  service.     The  cry  | 
of  "Freedom   for   the    Canadas   from   British    domination," 
awakened  the  echoes  "  Aye !"  from  thousands  on  this  side  of  I 
the  line,  and  it  was  not  long  before  arms,  provisions,  troops  | 
and  means  were  pftssini^  over  the  border  *a  aid  of  the  insur- 
gent?, who  were  gathered  in  much  strength,  at  several  points, 
along  the  southern  shore  of  the  Lakes.      Co-operation  be- 
came open  and  undisguised,  so  much  so  that  the  President  ] 


THE   PATRIOT    WAR. 


67 


issued  a  proclamation  for  order  and  neutrality.  It  fell  upon 
ears  deadened  to  authority — "  patriotism  "  was  superior  to  the 
claims  of  law  and  order. 

Late  in  December  (1837)  one  Van  Rensselaer  organized  a 
troop  of  *'  patriots,"  and,  passin;j  from  Schlosscr  over  to  Navy 
Island  (British  territory)  in  the  Niagara  river,  occupied  it. 
The  steamer  Caroline  was  engaged  to  transport  troops,  provi- 
sions, eta,  to  the  island,  from  Schlosser.  This  movement 
induced  the  British  to  make  a  descent  on  the  steamer — thus 
to  cut  off  Van  Rensselaer's  supplies.  Unfortunately  they  acted 
unadvisedly,  for  they  entered  upon  American  territory  to 
effect  their  purpose.  The  Caroline  was  found  at  the  dock  in 
Schlosser,  loaded  with  a  mass  of  curiosity  seekers  and  a  few 
patriots.  The  crowd  was  unarmed,  and  little  resistance  was 
offered  save  by  fists  and  billets  of  wood.  One  citizen  was 
killed  and  eight  wounded  in'  the  nulee.  Clearing  the  steamer 
of  her  company,  she  was  cut  loose  and  sent  over  the  Falls 
(Dec.  27th). 

This  act  excited  the  entire  country,  for,  beyond  doubt,  it 
was  a  casus  belli.  News  of  the  event  reached  Washington  in 
a  few  days,  when  Scott  was  ordered  to  the  frontier  to  repress 
trespass  from  our  side,  and  prevent  further  aggressions  of  the 
British  authorities,  while  Government  took  immediate  steps  to 
demand  atonement  of  Great  Britain  for  the  outrage  on  the 
Caroline.  He  hastened  to  the  Niagara  frontier  accompanied  by 
Governor  Marcy,  of  New  York,  by  whom  volunteers  were 
furnished  for  any  emergency  which  might  arise.  Scott  deter- 
mined to  act  to  the  fullest  extent  of  his  authority  in  sup- 
pressing American  co-operation  with  the  revolutionists.  His 
sudden  appearJmce  on  the  scene  caused  considerable  stir 
among  the  "  patriots,"  who  soon  became  painfully  aware  of 
their  liability  to  arresi  and  imprisonment.  In  consequence, 
tlieir  movements  were  considerably  restricted,  and  the  spring 
of  the  year  1838  found  them  disorganized  and  powerless. 

Immediately  after  the  affair  of  the  Caroline,  British  troops 
gathered  in  considerable  force,  opposite  the  western  end  of 
Navy  Island,  where  three  armed  schooners  were  also  anchored, 
to  intercept  the  passage  up  the  river  of  the  stea.ner  JJarcelona. 
This  steamer  had  been  taken  from  Buffalo  down  to  Schlosser 
for  the  use  of  the  forces  still  on  Navy  Island.     Scott  had, 


'1-5' 


68 


THE    LIFE    OP    WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


i, 


ii 


however,  tbrestallccl  the  "  patriots,"  by  chartering  her  before  they 
coukl  arrange  to  indemnify  her  owners  ft'om  loss.  He  imme- 
diately ordered  her  to  return  to  Buffalo,  at  the  same  time 
advising  the  British  commander  that  he  should  instantly  repel 
any  attack  made  in  American  waters  upon  our  vessels  or  citi- 
zens. The  little  steamer  came  up  (January  ICth),  in  the 
American  channel  of  the  river.  Scott  had  anchored  a  battery 
opposite  the  Canadian  encampment,  prepared  to  open  fire  the 
moment  the  British  should  throw  a  ball  at  the  Barcelona. 
This  determined  action  caused  them  to  let  the  steamer  pass, 
although  fires  were  lit  and  matches  were  ready,  for  the  bom- 
bardment, on  both  sides. 

The  day  previous  (January  15th)  Van  Rensselaer  and  his 
troop  of  a  few  gentlemen  and  many  vagabonds,  had  recrosscd 
from  the  island  to  the  American  shore,  where  they  were 
arrested  by  the  XJ.  S.  Marshal,  acting  under  Scott's  orders. 

During  the  winter  Scott  was  tireless  in  his  efforts  to  appease 
popular  excitement  along  the  frontier,  and  to  preve.:t  infrac- 
tions of  the  neutrality  laws.  He  had  to  co-operate  vith  him 
Generals  Brady,  Wool,  Worth  and  Eustis,  who  were  placed  in 
charge  of  special  sections  of  the  border,  while  he  passed  to 
and  fro  along  the  entire  line,  from  Detroit  to  Vermont,  exer- 
cising his  authority,  unaided  by  troops,  against  a  populace 
determined  upon  giving  aid  and  comfort  to  the  Canadians. 
His  exertions  were  crowned  with  success,  so  far  as  to  save  the 
Americans  from  actual  trespass.  By  April  the  British  author- 
ities succeeded  in  suppressing  the  revolt  for  the  moment. 

Scott  acted  throughout,  with  great  prudence  and  wisdom, 
and  was  freely  complimented  for  his  services.  Probably  no 
other  man  in  America  could  have  stayed,  so  effectually,  the 
rush  to  arms  on  this  side  of  the  border — an  act  which,  if  it 
luid  not  been  repressed,  Avould  have  involved  the  United 
States  in  a  war  with  the  British  crown.  His  great  personal 
popularity,  his  tireless  vigilance,  his  numberless  speeches,  his 
firmness  and  unconquerable  will  bore  all  before  him  ;  and  the 
revolution  in  Canada  was  paralyzed  as  much  fix)m  want  of  co- 
operation on  this  side  of  the  Niagara  and  the  Lakes  as  from 
the  determined  action  of  the  British  Government  in  suppressing 
the  rebellion  by  force  of  arms  and  by  banishing  the  leaders  of 
the  movement  to  Van  Dieman's  Land. 


REMOVAL   OP   THE    CIIEROKEES. 


Passing  from  the  North  to  Washhigton,  in  March,  Scott  wa3 
ordered  ahiiost  instantly  on  aaotiier  mission  requiring  the 
exercise  of  all  his  noblest  qualities.  The  Cherokee  Indians 
had  refused  to  vacate  their  lands  in  the  Southern  States  at  the 
bidding  of  the  General  Government,  and  Scott  was  comrais- 
siitiied  to  remove  them  peaceabh^  if  possible,  but  by  for^^  if 
necessary,  to  beyond  tlu;  present  State  of  Arkansas. 

By  the  lOth  of  May  he  was  at  the  Cherokee  agency  in  Ten- 
nessee, from  whence  he  immediately  issued  an  address  to  the 
Indians,  and  a  general  order  to  his  troops.  Both  instruments 
were  models  of  their  kind.  The  Indians  were  exhorted  to 
reconcile  themselves  to  their  fate  and  to  spare  the  necessity  of 
force  in  their  removal.  Every  thing  was  provided  to  facilitate 
their  emigration,  even  to  nurses  for  the  sick  and  disabled.  The 
soldiers  were  or-^ered  to  practice  the  utmost  humanity  and 
patience,  to  act  ai  all  times  with  decision,  but  to  show  mercy 
to  all— a  patience  and  mercy  which,  under  the  watchful  eye 
of  their  General,  were  practiced  to  the  most  remarkable 
extent. 

Those  orders  were  followed  by  prompt  and  vigorous  action. 
The  Indians  were  borne,  with  their  families  and  personal 
cirects  (in  some  instances  of  considerable  amount)  to  the  gen- 
eral depot.  By  the  middle  of  June  all  the  Georgia  Cherokees 
were  ready  for  removal  to  the  country  allotted  the  tribe  in 
the  Indian  Territory  beyond  Arkansas.  The  Cherokees  in 
North  Carolina,  Alabama  and  Tennessee  were  called  upon; 
and,  though  the  warriors  and  chiefs  of  the  nation  were  hostile 
to  the  forced  emigration,  by  the  middle  of  July  all  the  tribe 
was  in  at  the  depots  ready  for  a  start^  But  the  start  could 
not  be  made,  owing  to  a  great  drouth  which  had  availed  to 
renuer  the  rivers  unnavigable.  Scott,  therefore,  on  his  own 
responsibility,  ordered  them  to  remain.  He  quartered  them 
in  three  vast  camps,  and,  by  the  admirable  arrangem-^nts 
adopted,  secured  their  comfort  and  health.  lie  pitched  his 
tent  in  their  midst  and  soon  became  regarded,  as  he  was, — 
tlie  good-spirit  of  the  fifteen  thousand  emigrants.  In  Novem- 
ber the  line  of  March  was  taken  up  for  the  M^est.  Scott  fol- 
lowed the  last  detachment  as  far  as  Nashville,  to  see  that  all 
was  conducted  properly  by  the  agents  appointed  for  the 
transportation. 


e  t     m 

It 


ft: 


^  I 


"? 


li 

m 
m 


70 


THE   LIFE   OP   WINPIELT)    SCOTT. 


I.  f 


11 


i; 


While  engaged  in  this  humane  duty  he  was  suddenly  called, 
a  second  time,  to  the  Canadian  frontier.  As  winter  up- 
proached,  it  became  evident  that  the  "  patriots  "  would  again 
give  trouble.  It  is  said  they  were  organized  to  the  number 
of  80,000,  under  the  general  leadership  of  Alexander  McLeoel, 
and  only  awaited  the  freezing  of  the  Lakes  and  Detroit  river 
to  precipitate  themselves  over  the  boundary  and  seize  the 
government  in  Upper  Canada.  Scott  hastened  north  by  way 
of  Cincinnati — reaching  Cleveland  in  December.  From  thence 
he  passed  rapidly  on  to  Detroit,  taking  Sandusky  in  his  way, 
where  were  gathered  a  large  body  of  the  patriots  under  com- 
mand of  Major  Lawton  and  Captain  Anderson,  who  were 
anticipating  the  freezing  of  the  lake  in  order  to  take  posses- 
sion of  Point  au  Pelee  Island — British  territory  in  Lake  Erie. 
This  new  outbreak  comprised  many  excellent  men  in  its  ranks, 
while  its  directors  and  officers  were  not  without  means  and 
infludce.  It  therefore  required  all  Scott's  wisdom  to  thw;ut 
their  schemes.  So  successfully  did  ho  labor,  however,  that, 
as  during  the  previous  winter,  his  efforts  were  crowned  with 
success.     McLeod's  arrest  closed  the  drania  of  insurrection. 

Scarcely  had  this  duty  been  performed  when  he  learned  of 
the  threatening  aspect  of  atfairs  in  the  Disputed  Territory — as 
it  was  called — on  the  unadjusted  line  of  boundary  between  the 
State  of  Maine  and  New  Brunswick.  He  hurried  to  Washing- 
ton for  orders.  There  all  was  interest  and  excitement  relative 
to  the  matter.  The  President  (Van  Buren),  in  a  special  mes- 
sage to  Congress,  related  the  history  of  the  case,  and  thought 
it  necessary  for  Congress  to  act  at  once.  An  act  was  soon 
introduced  (February  2Gth),  passed,  signed  and  approved 
(March  3d),  authorizing  the  President  to  call  out  the  militia  for 
a  six  months'  service,  and  to  accept  50,000  volunteers— if  that 
number  should  prove  necessary  to  repel  British  encroachments 
on  the  Maine  boundary.  Ten  millions  of  dollars  were  appro- 
priated to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  the  act. 

Tills  remarkable  bill  shows  how  imminent  of  danger  the 
emergency  was  regarded.  Scott  was  greatly  instrumental  in 
fixing  the  provisions  of  the  act.  His  succeeding  conduct 
showed  that  he  acted  with  consummate  tact.  He  wished  the 
force  of  argument  which  would  come  of  50,000  men  and  ten 
millions  of  money. 


THE   MAINE   BOUNDARY   DISPUTE. 


71 


He  started  for  the  North  immediately  upon  tlie  passage  of 
(he  act.  Passing  through  Massachusetts  he  tarried  for  a  brief 
intei-vicw  with  Governor  Edward  Everett,  by  whom  he  was 
introduced  to  the  State  Council,  and  the  following  sentences, 
according  to  Mansfield,  were  uttered : — 

"We  place  unlimited  reliance  on  your  spirit,  energy  and 
discretion.  Should  you,  unhappily,  fail  in  your  efforts,  under 
the  instructions  of  the  President,  to  restore  harmony,  we  know 
thcat  you  are  equally  prepared  for  a  still  more  responsible  duty. 
Should  that  event  unhappily  occur,  I  be^  you  to  depend  on  the 
firm  support  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massaclmsetts." 

Noble  Massachusetts !  Ever  ready  to  give  her  *'  firm  sup- 
l)ort"  in  the  preservation  of  the  honor  and  liberty  of  the 
Union!  Scott  responded,  evidently  by  authority,  that  the 
President  had  full  reliance  "  on  the  patriotism  and  public 
ppirit  of  Massachusetts  to  meet  any  emergency  which  might 
arise." 

Scott  passed  on  to  Augusta,  Maine,  where  the  Legislature 
Mas  then  in  session.  He  was  received  in  the  Legislative 
Hall  (March  7th)  by  the  leading  citizens  of  the  State,  by  mem- 
l)ors  of  the  Legislature  and  the  Executive.  The  reception  was 
most  honorable  to  the  State,  and  highly  propitious  for  the 
settlement  of  the  troubles  which  Scott  secretly  designed. 

AVe  need  not  here  narrate  the  processes  of  adjustment  finally 
n  ade  of  the  ominous  difficulty.  Scott  acted  the  part  of  an 
able  diplomat  rather  than  of  a  soldier.  When  we  remember 
that  the  people  of  Maine  were  so  highly  incensed  against, 
New  Brunswick  as  actually  to  have  ordered  troops  on  to  the 
disputed  section,  to  drive  off  all  trespassers — that  the  English 
Governor  of  New  Brunswick  was  equally  determined  to  keep 
l)ossession  of  the  territory  in  dispute,  we  may  well  suppose 
Seott  had  a  most  unpropitious  field  for  the  exercise  of  his 
ministerial  skill.  But,  he  was  equal  to  the  emergency,  and 
addressed  himself  to  the  work  with  so  much  zeal,  discretion 
and  intelligent  comprehension  of  all  the  bearings  of  the  con- 
troversy, that  he  had  the  honor  of  peacefully  reconciling  the 
dispute  ad  uiterim,  leaving  the  boundary  to  be  fixed  by  a  com- 
mission of  the  two  General  Governments.* 

*  It  is  to  be  regretted  that,  in  the  history  of  our  diplomacy,  (American 
State  Papers)  tlie  correspondence  between  General  Scott  and  Sir  John 
Hervey  is  not  given  at  length.  There  can  bo  no  proper  understanding  of 
the  Maine  boundary  dispute  and  settlement  if  the  letter  of  Scott  of  March 


4 

<i'*\ 


73 


THE    LIFE    OF    \V  INFIELD    SCOTT. 


C  II  A  P  T  E  11    XII 


il; 


THE  TEST  OP  TRUE  GUEATNRSS — SCOTT  S  PRIVATE  CUARACTEH — HIS  POSITION 
BEFORH  THE  PEOPLE  AS  A  CANDIDATE  FOR  THE  PRESIDENCY — HIS  VIKWS 
ON  PUULIC  QrESTlONS— HTS  VIEWS  ON  SLAVERY — OPPOSfiS  THE  ADMISSION 
OF  TEXAS  AND  SEES  WAR  IN  THE  ACT  OF  ANNEXATION. 

In  tracing  :  mere  acts  of  a  public,  character  we  are  apt 
to  loso  sight  K. "  the  personal  and  social  position  occupied  by 
the  individual — the  man  is  lost  in  his  office.  It  may  be  a  safe 
principle  of  economy  to  preach  "  principles,  not  men ;"  but, 
after  all,  we  want  to  know  the  heart  and  soul  of  the  person 
as  we  would  know  those  of  an  acquaintance,  since,  by  no 
other  knowledge  can  we  arrive  at  a  just  estimate  of  capacity, 
character  and  acts.  Napoleon  looms  up  grandly  as  General, 
Consul,  Dictator,  Emperor,  Conqueror  and  Exile,  and  the 
record  of  his  life  reads  like  a  sul)lime  epic  ;  but,  how  immeas- 
urably it  is  qualified  when  we  look  into  the  heart  of  the  man ! 
Selfish,  proud,  irreligious,  devoid  of  humanity  and  pure  affec- 
tion, treacherous,  unscrupulous, — the  "  Prince "  of  Machiavclli 
on  a  gigantic  scale — how  his  courage,  majesty  of  intellect, 
resource  of  strategy,  endurance,  capacity  for  government  and 
command  are  toned  down  until  quite  in  the  background  of 
the  canvas  !  It  is  for  the  biographer  to  lift  the  vail,  even 
though  it  should  throw  too  much  light  upon  the  life  of  the 
subject  for  the  apotheosis  of  his  memory  : — it  is  his  office  to 
dispel  illusion,  not  to  create  nor  maintain  it. 

Passing  a  long  life  in  camp  and  command,  like  all  men  to 
whom  great  trusts  are  confided,  Scott  has  won  enemies  as 
well  as  friends.  His  very  positive  qualities,  indeed,  are  calcu- 
lated to  make  enemies  of  those  less  devoted  to  discipline,  less 
disinterested  in  the  discharge  of  duty  than  himself.  But,  it  is 
not  denied  by  his  enemies,  in  and  out  of  the  army,  that,  as  a 
Christian  gentleman — as  a  person  of  the  strictest  moral  principle 

2l9t,  1830,  to  Sir  John  is  not  piven,  together  with  the  reply  of  the  Britisli 
Lieutenant-Governor  of  New  iJrunswick,  and  the  acceptance  of  Governor 
Fairfleld  of  Maine.  ScoU  won  for  himself  in  that  service  the  title  of 
Pacificator.  Even  befurte  his  journey  to  Ansusta,  Caleb  Cushlnp,  in  a 
speech  in  Congress  on  the  volunteer  and  appropriation  bill,  had  referred 
to  the  General  as  a  "distinguished  Pacificator,^'  In  consideration  of  his 
successes  on  the  Canada  frontier  and  in  the  removal  of  the  Clierokees.  He 
truly  earned  the  honorable  recognition. 


18   A    CANDIDATE   FOR   THE    niESIDENCY. 


73 


and  probity — as  a  goncrous  friend  and  liunianc  foe — as  a 
sincere  patriot — as  a  devoted,  loving  fatlicr  and  husband — as 
one  ever  ready  for  work  of  cliarity  and  relief— as  one  unos- 
tentatious and  temperate  in  his  habits,  he  is  entitled  to  tho 
admiration  so  freely  bestowed  upon  him  in  those  circles 
where  he  i^  intimately  known,  lie  is  proud,  but  it  is  tho 
pride  of  a  truly  noble,  honest,  truthful  nature.  He  is  emulous 
of  fame,  and  what  sublime  soul  is  not"?  He  is  ambitious,  but 
rather  from  its  honors  than  from  its  place  and  rewards.  He 
welcomes  great  emergencies  and  loves  action  and  command, 
for  they  demand  the  exercise  of  his  utmost  energies,  his  best 
powers.  Judged  by  the  standard  which  we  are  permitted  to 
apply  to  those  who  act  of  necessity  an  important  part  in  the 
(ivents  of  the  time,  we  arc  not  claiming  too  much  to  pronounce 
him  one  of  the  most  estimable  of  men. 

The  consideration  with  which  General  Scott's  qualities  of 
head  and  heart  were  regarded,  at  tliis  era  of  his  life  (1839), 
may  be  inferred-  from  the  fact  that  many  leading  members  of 
the  ''reat  and  powerful  Whig  party  looked  to  him  as  tlieir 
candidate  for  the  Piesidenc;y,  and  his  name  was,  accordingly, 
presented  at  the  nominating  convention,  hekl  at  Ilarrisburg, 
Pennsylvania,  December  4th,  1839.  Harrison  received  the 
nomination — Clay  and  Scott  being  his  competitors.  On  tho 
ballot  preceding  the  last,  the  vote  cast  for  Scott  was,  New 
York,  fort^-^-two  ;  New  Jersey,  six  ;  Connecticut,  six  ;  Vermont, 
six;  Michigan,  three.  The  nomination  of  Harrison  met  with 
the  hearty  indorsement  of  Scott,  who  hud,  previous  to  the 
eonvenUon,  advised  his  friends  to  support  first  Clay,  then 
Harrison,  if  either  of  them  promised  success  with  the  i)eople. 
How  wisely  the  convention  selected  was  demonstrated  in  the 
extraordinary  majority  by  which  Harrison  Mas  elected. 

The  untimely  death  of  Harrison  iii  1841  created  a  most 
profound  sensation,  in  all  circles.  By  none  was  he  mourned 
more  deeply  than  by  General  Scott,  who  truly  admired  the 
patriot,  the  able  General,  and  the  Christian  man.  The  death 
of  Major-General  Macomb  quickly  followed  (June  25th)  that 
of  Harrison.  This  left  Scott  senior  Major-General  and  com- 
mander of  the  army  of  the  United  States.  The  important 
trust  scarcely  added  to  his  position,  for  already  ho  had  won  a 
first  place  in  the  regard  and  confidence  of  the  people  by  hig 
remarkable  military  and  civic  services, 


H 


74 


THE   LIFE    OP    WIN  FIELD    SCOTT. 


■'vS'-- 


fc^i 


h 


i  ty 


ll  ':ss  ''■: 


The  death  of  Harrison  turned  the  public  mind  to  specu- 
lationa  regarding  his  successor  in  tlie  Presidency.  Scott  was 
the  particular  favorite  of  those  who  believed  great  military 
talent  a  desideratum  in  the  head  of  the  nation — the  class  who 
had  helped  to  swell  the  majority  of  General  Harrison  to  its 
enormous  returns.  With  others  Mr.  Clay  was  the  chosen 
champion.  Only  these  two  were  prominently  named.  In 
consequence,  both  became  the  recipients  of  numerous  com- 
munications relating  to  their  position  on  this  and  that  question, 
preparatory  to  action  in  their  behalf  by  directing  members 
of  the  Whig  party  in  different  sections  of  the  country.  To 
answer  these  inquiries  more  fully,  and  to  economize  valuable 
time,  Scott  had  a  circular  prepared,  in  which  were  expounded 
his  views  upon  the  leading  questions  of  the .  times.  It  was 
thoroughly  committal — quite  in  contrast  with  the  caution 
practiced  by  the  more  politic  politician,  whose  art  is  to  conceal 
rather  than  to  confess.  He  occupied  strong  "  Whig"  ground. 
Upon  the  strength  of  this  circular  reply  his  name  was  run  up 
by  numerous  papers  throughout  the  country  as  their  candi- 
date, subject  to  the  decision  of  the  National  Convention.  The 
Pennsylvania  State  Whig  Convention,  assembled  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1842,  gave  his  name  the  preference,  and  so  indicated 
by  resolutions.  He  addressed  a  letter,  however,  to  a  com- 
mittee of  gentlemen  (September  22d,  1842) — by  whom  an 
invitation  had  been  extended  for  his  attendance  upon  a  grand 
gathering  of  the  Whigs  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky,  to  be  held 
at  Dayton — expressing  so  decided  a  preference  for  Mr.  Clay 
that  it  was  construed  (as  it  doubtless  was  meant)  to  be  a  with- 
drawal of  his  name  from  the  canvass.  A  letter  written  by 
him,  under  date  of  February  9th,  1843,  to  a  slaveholder  in 
Virginia  regarding  his  views  on  the  question  of  American 
slavery,  was  widely  copied,  not  only  because  it  expounded 
the  author's  opinions  of  the  institution,  but  for  the  reason 
that  it  represented  the  views,  pretty  clearly,  of  the  mass  of 
the  great  Whig  party,  particularly  in  the  Northern  States — 
views  more  favorable  to  the  abolishment  of  slavery  in  the 
District  of  Columbia  than  those  entertained  by  Mr.  Clay. 
He  strongly  approved  of  the  principle  of  emancipation,  and 
looked  to  it  as  the  ultimate  remedy  for  eradicating  the  rela- 
tions of  master  and  slave.     He  said  : 


OPPOSES   THE   ADMISSION   OP   TEXAS. 


75 


"I  am  persuaded  that  it  is  a  high  moral  ohligation  of  masters 
\  and  slaveholding  States  to  employ  all  means  not  incompatible 
with  the  safety  of  both'  colors,  to  meliorate  slavery  even  to 
i  extermination." 

"  I  suppose  I  scarcely  need  say  that,  in  my  opinion,  Congress 
has  no  color  of  authority,  under  the  Constitution,  for  touching 
the  relation  of  master  and  slave." 

"  I  do  but  suggest  the  remedies  and  consolations  of  slavery,  to 
inspire  patience,  hope  and  cliarity  on  all  sides.  The  mighty 
subject  calls  for  the  exercise  of  all  man's  wisdom  and  virtue, 
and  these  may  not  suffice  without  aid  from  a  higlier  source." 

With  regard  to  slavery  in  the  territories  (a  question  not 
tlieii  agitated)  he  says  nothing ;    but,   presuming  upon  the 
general  spirit  manifested  in  the  communication,  and  the  tenor 
of  his  argument  to  excuse  the  relations  of  master  and  slave, 
it  is  ftiir  to  infer  that  he  opposes  the  extension  of  an  insti- 
tution which  he  would  emancipate,  "  even  to  extermination." 
He  mixed  very  little  in  politics  during  the  campaign  of 
1844,  not  only  owing  to  disinclination  for  political  excitement, 
but  to   the   absorbing   nature  of  his  duties.     He  earnestly 
deprecated  the  annexation  of  Texas  to  the  Federal  Union, 
knowing  the  act  would  result  inevitably  in  an  expensive  war 
with  Mexico.      But   the  American   people,  ever   eager  for 
excitement,  and  proud  to  extend  the  area  of  their  country, 
became  enthusiastic  in  favor  of  the  annexation,  elected  Mr. 
Polk  as  the  annexationist  candidate,  and  shouldered  the  enor- 
mous responsibility  of  fighting  for  the  very  territory  they  had 
"annexed" — to  say  nothing  of  assuming  all  her  disabilities  in 
the  shape  of  many  millions  of  a  debt,  an  unfortified  frontier 
of  vast  extent,  a  populace  unable  to  protect  their  homes  from 
tlie  savages,  bad  harbors  to  render  commercially  available,  etc. 
All  this  Henry  Clay  and  the  Whig  party  strenuously  struggled 
against,  and  none  were  less  surprised  at  the  war' and  expense 
which  jfollowed  than  those  who  had  striven  to  avoid  it  by  the 
easy  method  of  not  accepting  the  Pandora  Box  tendered  by 
the  Texan  "  Republic." 


H 


7e 


THE   LITE   OP   •WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


.Mi 

m  ■ 


CHAPTER     XIII. 

THE  MEXICAN  WAR— THE  EMECTE  BETWEEN  SCOTT  AND  THE  PRESIDKNT— 
I'ERSEOCtION  of  SCOTT — IS  FINALLY  ORDERED  TO  MEXICO — DESU.N  TO 
CREATE  THE  OFFICE  OP  LIEUTENANT-GENERAL  TO  SfPERSEDE  SCOTT- 
IT  13   FRUSTRATED — SCOTT   AT  THE   RIO   GRANDE, 

General    Scott  was  ordered  to  the  scene  of  war,  in 
Mexico,  by  the  Department,  November  23d,  184G.  Previous  to 
this  General  Taylor  had  achieved  brilliant  victories  in  Nortl  • 
em  Mexico.  As  early  as  May,  of  that  year,  when  news  rcacliod 
Washington  that  the  Mexicans  had  crossed  the  Kio  Grande, 
Scott  had  been  ordered  to  assume  chief  command  of  the  Arniv 
of  Occupation  which   Government   had  resolved   to  create. 
But,  fully  trusting  Taylor's  ability  to  conduct  the  campaign, 
which  he  had  opened  so  brilliantly,  to  a  final  complete  succt^s, 
his  chief  was  unwillin^.,    to  snatch   from  him  the  laurels  «(> 
lionestly  his  own,  and  requested  of  the  Department,  that,  instcaJ 
of  taking  the  command  from  Taylor,  he  (Scott)  might  be  per- 
mitted to  organize  a  strong  force   during  the  summer,  with 
which  to  join  Taylor,  in  the  fall,  for  carrying  forward  the  war 
into  the  heart  of  Mexico.     This  disagreement  with  the  policy 
of  Mr.  Polk  and  his  Cabinet  was  regarded  by  them,  it  seems, 
as  a  captious  refusal,  for  political  purposes,  to  carry  out  their 
schemes  upon  Mexico,  and  the  order  for  his  services  wa> 
rather  curtly  and  unceremoniously  countermanded.     Scott  did 
not  relish  this  construction  of  his  views  and  purposes,  and 
wrote,  at  length  to  the  President  to  prove  that  his  plans  were 
those  of  mature  judgment,  made  with  a  full  desire  to  pu.<h 
the   war  with  Mexico  to  an  energetic  and   honorable  con 
elusion.     If  his   communication  did  not  suflSce  to  convince 
the  President  and  his  advisers,  succeeding  events  demonstrated 
the  wisdom  of  the  General's  plan.     Taylor  and  his  brotlicr 
officers,  learning  by  due  course  of  mail  of  Scott's  deferential 
action,  hastened   to  assure  him  of  their  desire  that  he  should 
assume  the  chief  command — feeling   that    they  had   to   en- 
counter obstacles  which  would  require    all  their  united  wis- 
dom and  courage  to  overcome.     This  kindly  request,  together 
■with  the  approach  of  the  proper  season  for  operations,  induced 


»•♦ 


POLK'S   SCHEME   TO  8UPEBSEDE    SCOTT. 


77 


IPRESIDKNT— 
I — DESK.N  TO 
:de    SCOTT- 

f  war,  ill 

'revious  to 
in  Xorth- 
s  rcaclKi! 

io  Grande, 

'  the  Arniv 

to  Croat!.'. 

cami)aii:ii, 
?te  success, 

laurels  .«o 
lat,  instead 
?lit  be  per- 
il nier,  with 
rcl  tlie  wnr 
the  polif  V 
I,  it  seems 
7  out  their 
vices   -waj 

Scott  did 
poses,  and 
)lans  were 
3  to  push 
able  con 

convince 
lonstratea 
is  brother 
eferential 
le  should 
i  to  en- 
iited  wis- 

togethcr 
,  induced 


Scott  to  signify  to  the  Department  his  willingness  to  assume 
the  command.  So  indisposed,  however,  were  Mr.  Polk  and 
liis  Cabinet  to  allow  Scott  any  exercise  of  authority  in  the 
mutter,  that  they  not  only  refused  his  request,  but,  it  would 
apj)car,  had  resolved  uj)on  creating  the  new  ofiice  of  Lieuten- 
ant-General — to  supersede  both  Scott  and  Taylor  in  authority 
ami  command.  ^  To  such  lengths  docs  partisan  spirit  lead  its 
devotees !  The  Administration  would  set  aside  the  old  hero 
and  his  noble  coadjutor  on  the  Rio  Grande  and  create  an 
office,  which,  bestowed  upon  a  fellow-partisan,  would  give 
tlie  supreme  control  of  affairs  into  other  hands  than  those 
of  the  old  and  scar-worn  regime  of  the  regular  army  !  What 
u  return  for  forty  years  of  such  service  as  Scott  had  rendered 
his  country  1  The  designs  of  the  Executive  of  course  were 
kept  from  the  knowledge  of  the  people. 

A  change  of  mind  atler  a  while  apparently  occurred ;  for, 
as  stated  above,  the  General-in-Chief  was  ordered  to  the  scene 
of  action  in  November.  His  instructions  met  with  his  hearty 
conciu'rence,  for  while  they  admitted  of  the  prosecution  of  tho 
campaign  upon  an  energetic  and  comprehensive  scale,  they 
seemed  to  assure  the  Commander-in-Chief  that  the  Adminis- 
tration had  recovered  from  its  mif.  Thenceforward  the  way 
seemed  clear.  How  mistaken  were  his  hopes  a  few  days 
revealed.  Scarcely  had  he  departed  for  New  York,  for  the 
Ptlo  Grande  by  steamer,  ere  the  designs  of  the  Executive 
were  developed.  Immediately  upon  the  assembling  of  Con- 
gress, the  scheme  to  appoint  a  grade  above  Scott,  and  thus 
siii)ersede  as  well  as  disgrace  him,  was  announced.  It  of 
course, "created  a  storm  in  and  out  of  Congress,  and  so  sudden 
was  the  revulsion  that  Mr.  Polk  was  unable  to  press  the 
measure  through  a  House  largely  "  Democratic."  Many 
members  of  that  party,  to  their  honor,  would  not,  even  at  tlie 
iddding  of  their  leaders,  be  dragooned  into  consummating  the 
outrage  upon  the  old  soldier.  If  any  man  merited  the  new 
honor  it  was  Scott  himself 

Ai-riving  at  the  Rio  Grande,  Scott  first  learned  of  the  in- 
fiimous  scheme  hatched  for  his  ruin.  AVhat  Avas  he  to  do  ? 
Tarry  in  command  of  an  army  which  the  President,  by  liis 
efforts  to  supersede  him,  had  declared  him  unfit  to  command? 
Or,  proceed  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  and,  with  the  meager 


78 


THE    LIFE   OF   "WINFIELD   BCOTT. 


army  at  his  disposal,  prosecute  the  daring  campaign  which 
he  had  nlanned— of  carrying  the  war  into  the  heart  of  Mex- 
ico ?  His  duty  first — his  honor  last,  seems  to  have  been  liis 
impelling  motive,  for,  though  much  dispirited  by  that  "  attack 
in  the  rear,"  he  pressed  the  preparations  for  the  descent  on 
Vera  Cruz.     Brantz  Mayer  says : — 

"  The  enterprise  of  General  Scott  was  one  of  extraordinary 
magnitude  and  responsibility.  With  his  usual  foresight  \w. 
determined  that  he  would  not  advance  until  the  expedition  was 
perfectly  complete  in  every  essential  of  certain  success.  Nothinf^ 
was  permitted  to  disturb  his  equanimity  or  patient  resolution  in 
carrying  out  the  scheme  as  he  thought  best.  He  weighed  all 
the  dilncultics  and  dangers  of  the  adventure,  and  placed  no 
reliance  upon  the  supposed  weakness  of  the  enemy.  This  was 
the  true,  soldier-like  view  of  the  splendid  project;  and  if,  at  the 
time,  men  were  found  inconsiderate  enough  to  blame  him  for 
procrastinating  dalliance,  the  glorious  result  of  his  enterprise 
repaid  him  for  all  the  petty  sneers  and  misconception  with 
which  his  discretion  was  undervalued  by  the  carpet  knights  at 
home." 

This  is  the  just  tribute  of  a  close  and  disinterested  ob- 
server : — that  it  was  verified  Jay  its  results  the  "  carpet  knights" 
soon  freely  admitted.  Santa  Anna,  who  was  at  San  Luis 
Potosi  with  a  formidable  force  (about  20,000  strong) 
ready  to  precipitate  himself  upon  Taylor,  was  held  in  momen- 
tary check  by  the  arrival  of  Scott  with  his  supposed  reinforce- 
ments. Having  seized  and  assassinated  Lieutenant  Ritchie, 
Scott's  bearer  of  dispatches  to  Taylor,  the  Mexican  chief  became 
aware  of  the  entire  plans  of  the  campaign.  It  was  a  matter 
of  doubt,  therefore,  what  was  best  to  do.  To  take  from  the 
army  the  12,000  men  positively  required  for  the  'enter- 
prise on  Vera  Cruz  would  so  weaken  Taylor,  on  his 
extended  line  of  defense,  as  to  imperil  the  10,000  men 
remaining  under  his  command,  as  well  as  risk  the  positions 
already  conquered  at  the  cost  of  so  much  blood.  A  com- 
munication with  Taylor  was  had.  '  That  invincible  heart 
while  deploring  the  necessity  for  reducing  his  forces, 
bade  Scott  forward  on  Vera  Cruz,  and,  with  his  de- 
pleted force,  prepared  to  hold  his  own  against  the 
enemy.  His  dispatches  to  Government  breathed  the  reso- 
lution to  do  his  best,  but  did  not,  also,  fail  to  throw  any 
disaster  which   might  follow  upon  the  Department  for  its 


BATTLE    OP   BUENA   VISTA. 


79 


phamcful  failure  to  provide  troops  adequate  to  tlie  necessities 
of  the  great  enterprises  undertalcen.  Fortunately  for  <ho 
country  the  well-laid  scheme  of  politicians,  for  the  ruin  of 
Hcott  by  leaving  him  helpless  to  prosecnte  his  campaign, 
j'ound  in  Taylor  a  man  ready  to  dare  inconceivable  dangers 
to  support  his  chief.  ' 

The  wily  Santa  Anna  was  not  long  in  deciding  upon  his 
course.  It  was  to  annihilate  Taylor,  then  to  hurry  down  to 
Vera  Cruz — which  he  was  sure  could  hold  out  for  several 
weelis— and  annihilate  Scott.  Of  this  Taylor  was  advised, 
and  he  prepared  to  be  "  annihilated"  by  making  the  best  dis- 
position possible.  His  lines  stretched  from  Monterey  t(>Agua 
Nucva,  beyond  Saltillo.  On  February  21st,  the  Mexicans, 
17,000  strong,  came  upon  the  pass  at  Angostura  where  the 
l)rave  Wool  was  posted  with  4,690  men.  A  two  days'  battle 
followed — ^Due  of  the  most  obstinate  and  brilliantly  conducted 
aflfairs  in  modern  warfare.  The  Mexican  General  was 
signally  defeated,  and  retired,  with  the  remnant,  of  his  fine 
army,  upon  San  Luis  Potosi,  while  Taylor,  with  his  now 
still  further  reduced  forces,  fell  back  upon  Monterey  and  his 
{,'arrisons  along  the  Rio  Grande,  to  act  only  on  the  defensive. 
Government  had  thus  doomed  him  to  a  mere  garrison  life 
when  he  should  have  had  forces  adequate  to  follow  up  his 
enemy,  thus  to  prevent  Santa  Anna  from  throwing  all  his 
strength  against  Scott's  small  army. 


n 


CHAPTER     XIV. 

SIEGE  OF  VERA  CRUZ — AWFUL  DESTRUCTION  OF  LIFE  AND  PROPERTY — CITY 
AND  CASTLE  SURRENDER — MARCH  TO  THE  INTERIOR — BATTLE  OF  CERRO 
CiORDO — REMARKABLE  BRAVERY  OF  THE  AMERICAN  TROOPS — SANTA 
ANNA\s  DEFEAT — THE  PURSUIT  TO  JALAPA — JALAPA  OCCUPIED — THE  CITY 
AND  STRONO  CASTLE  OF  PEROTE  TAKEN — ADVANCE  UPON  PUEBLA — ARMY 
REDUCED  TO  FIVE  THOUSAND  MEN— HKAD-QUARTERS  AT  PUEBLA,  PENDING 
NEGOTIATIONS  FOR  PEACE  BY  COMMISSIONER  FROM  WASHINGTON. 

Having  determined  upon  his  arrangements,  all  dispatch  was 
used  to  forward  the  expedition  against  Vera  Cruz ;  but,  it 
was  March  7th  before  the  troops  were^ready  to  sail  from  the 
general  rendezvous  on  the  island  of  Lo  bos— one  hundred  and 
twenty  miles  north  of  the  point  of  attack.     One  hundred  and 


:!    '1 


y 


80 


THE   LIFE   OP   WmFIELD   BCOTT. 


■i 


\:  % 


sixty-three  vessels,  gathered  with  great  labor,  were  employed 
as  transports.  Having  carefully  reconnoitered  the  harhor  and 
its  vicinity,  in  a  small  steamer  under  command  of  Comraodore 
Conner,  the  Commander-in-Chief  selected,  as  the  piace  of 
d'jbarkment  of  his  entire  forces,  a  spot  near  the  cily,  on  the 
coast  opposite  the  island  of  Sacrificios.  A  landing  was  safely 
effected  on  the  9th.  The  enemy  it  was,  of  course,  expected 
would  dispute  the  debarkment  to  the  utmost,  but  no  cpposi- 
tion  v%as  experienced — the  spot  chosen  being  unexpected  to 
the  Governor,  Morales— except  the  firing  of  shot  and  shells 
Irom  the  city  fortresses  and  Castle  of  San  Juan  d'Ulloa.  Not 
a  life  tfas  lost  in  the  landing,  so  admirably  ordered  was  it, 
notwithstanding  it  was  made  on  the  open  coast,  and,  of 
necessity,  with  rapidity. 

The  investment  of  the  city  proceeded  at  once.  The 
engineers  had  obtained  such  explicit  data  of  the  topography 
of  the  city  and  adjacent  country  as  to  enable  the  General  to 
locate  eacli  section  and  regiment  with  the  precision  of  actual 
survey.  But,  the  impossibility  of  unshipping  the  guns,  owing 
to  the  prevalence  of  heavy  winds,  rendered  a  delay  necessary 
in  anchoring  the  batteries.  The  men,  in  t)ie  mean  time,  \sv\v 
working  like  pack-horses,  carrying  on  their  backs,  over  the 
deep  sand,  Iheir  provisions,  munitions,  etc.,  to  their  various 
positions — many  of  thoni  several  miles  away.  The  wind 
having  abated  somewhat  on  the  17th,  heavy  guns  and  mortars 
wor<3  landed  and  immediately  mounted  and  dragged  to  their 
allotted  places.  By  thu  22d  the  investment  was  so  far  pro- 
gressed as  to  warrant  Scott  in  making  a  demand  of  the  Gov- 
ernor of  thf?  city  for  its  surrender.  The  demand  was  refused, 
when  )l>e  mortar  battery,  plant od  within  eight  hundred  yards 
of  the  rity  walls,  opened  its  lire  on  the  city,  continuing  it, 
with  slight  intermission,  during  the  entire  siege.  New  bat- 
teries were  constantly  opened  as  guns  arrived.  By  the  2.5th 
the  bombardment  was  awful  in  the  extreme.  The  fleet,  under 
conmiuntl  of  Commodoi'c  Perry,  furiously  engaged  the  Castle. 
Both  city  and  Castle  made  a  desperate  and  most  gallant 
defense.*"  But,  neither  stone  walls  nor  valor  could  stand  before 
that  fearful  storm  of  iron,  which  literally  rained  upon  the 
doomed  city  and  forts.  *  Vera  Cruz  was  actually  riddUdj  and 
its  people,  old  and  young,  male  and  female,  perished  in  great 


SURIIENDEII   OP    TEHA   CRUZ. 


«1 


numbers  by  the  diro  disaster — so  much  so  that  the  foreign 
consuls  memorialized  Scott  (on  the  25th)  for  a  truce,  to  enable 
the  women,  children,  and  non-combatants  to  leave  the  city. 
Scott  had,  apparently,  but  one  answer  to  give : — under  the 
rules  of  war  a  truce  could  only  be  granted  on  application  of 
the  Governor  of  the  city.  Ample  time  and  warning  had  been 
given,  during  the  progress  of  the  investment,  for  all  women, 
children  and  unarmed  residents  to  leave — a  warning  which 
some  had  embraced :  those  who  'preferred  to  stay  could  not  be 
granted  a  special  truce,  at  that  vital  moment  of  the  siege,  no 
matter  what  their  claims  upon  the  humanity  of  the  General 
responsible  tor  the  issue  of  tht  :j/^ion.*  Had  Governor  Mor- 
ales asked  that  truce,  how  quickly  it  would  have  been  granted ! 
With  him  rested  the  responsibility  of  the  continuance  of  the 
slaughter,  according  to  all  the  usages  and  rules  of  war. 

()a  the  morning  of  the  26th,  General  Landero,  by  order  of 
Morales,  made  overtures  for  capitulation,  when  the  firing  at 
once  ceased.  All  preliminaries  Avere  arranged,  and,  on  the 
night  of  March  27th  articles  of  capitulation  were  »igned — 
Generals  Worth  and  Pillow  and  Colonel  Totten  acting  as  the 
American  commissioners.  Scott's  official  dispatches  to  Gov- 
ernment, dated  tlie  2i)th,  announced  that  tb'-  stars  and  stripes 
were  waving  over  the  walls  of  Vera  Cruz  and  the  Castle  of 
San  Juan  d'Ulloa.  The  Mexican  flag  was  iiaulcd  down  at 
ten  A.  Ar  of  that  duy,  and  (Jcncral  Worth  a.  sumed,  for  the 
moment,  the  rights  of  the  late  Governor  over  the  city  and 
Castle. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  very  small,  owing  to  the 
care  bestowed  upon  the  batteries  and  trenches,  in  their  con- 
struction. Scott's  first  and  last  care  was  for  his  troops,  and 
the  same  spirit  prevailed  among  all  the  officers.  The  Mexican 
loss  was  very  heavy,  both  in  the  Castle  and  city  fortresses  ; 
while,  to  add  to  the  sad  record,  it  is  e.timated  that  several 
hundred   women,    children    and    neutrrJb   perished.f      Many 

*  This  rofnsnl  to  grant  a  trnco  has  been  repp,  clod  by  some  writers  as  an 
exhibition  of  {jroat  cruelty  and   inluunaiiitv  oa  the  part  of  Scott.    Mr. 
William  Jay,  in  his  work  on  tlie  Mexican  V/ar  viewed  from  a  Christian  - 
etand-point,  is  especially  severe  on  the  Conr.nander-in-(Jhief,  but,   we 
must  wel,  is  most  unjustly  censorious. 

t  The  entire  loss  never  lias  been  accurately  stated.    The  number  is  fixed" 
by  Ripley  and  Brantz  Meyer  at  about  1,0U0  slain  and  mortally  wounded,  in 
the  city  and  fortrcsBes. 


it'!'' 


THE   LIFE    OF   WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


r^!i 


most  aflFecting  incidents  are  related,  of  the  misfortunes  of  that 
dreadful  time.  The  city  was  almost  ruined— scarcely  a  build- 
ing in  it  which  had  not  been  shattered.  Five  thousand  pris- 
oners were  surrendered,  together  with  nearly  five  hundred 
pieces  of  excellent  artillery  and  five  thousand  stand  of  arms. 
Private  property  was  scrupulously  protected.  Scott  soon 
restored  a  settled  order  in  affairs  ;  opened  the  long-closed  port 
to  the  commerce  of  the  world  ;  enacted  a  moderate  tariff  of 
duties  on  imports,  and  otherwise  administered  for  the  well- 
being  of  the  place  and  its  defenses.  The  ports  of  Alvarado 
and  Tclacotlalpam  (south  of  Vera  Cruz)  were  taken— Commo- 
dore Perry  having  been  dispatched,  with  the  fleet,  against 
them.  Tuspan,  to  the  north,  Perry  was  commissioned  to 
take  at  his  convenience.  All  this  accomplished,  the  march 
upon  the  city  of  Mexico  was  commenced. 

Santa  Anna,  after  his  defeat  by  Taylor  at  th€  pass  of 
Angostura,  (Buena^^  Vista,  the  battle  is  improperly  called) 
retired  upon  San  Luis  Potosi  with  less  than  half  of  his  original 
army.  The  defeat  so  thoroughly  demolished  his  troops  that 
tlie  movement  south  to  the  relief  of  Vera  Oruz  was  impossible. 
He  therefore  hurried  off  to  the  Capital  where  a  political  com- 
motion required  his  presence.  Having  succeeded  in  recon- 
ciling the  differences  among  the  factions,  he  started  forward  to 
oppose  Scott's  onward  march.  In  a  proclamation  to  his  peo- 
ple, he  said  ;  -"  I  swear,  that  if  my  Avishes  are  seconded  by 
an  earnest  and  unanimous  effort,  Mexico  shall  conquer  !  A 
thousand  times  fortunate  for  the  nation  shall  the  fall  of  Vera 
Cruz  be,  if  the  loss  shall  aAvaken,  in  Mexican  bosoms,  the 
stern  enthusiasm,  the  disinterested  ardor  of  a  pure  patriotism." 
Proceeding  eastward,  gathering  together  volunteers,  robber- 
bands,  guerrillas  and  ihe  remnants  of  his  scattered  army,  he 
prepared  to  dispute  the  passage  of  the  Americans  through  the 
gorge  at  Cerro  Gordo  height,  seven  leagues  west  of  Jalapa, 
where  the  national  road  first  strikes  the  mountains. 

The  onward  movement  from  Vera  Cruz  commenced  April 
8th,  General  Twiggs'  division  (regulars)  taking  the  advance, 
Patterson's  volunteers  following.  Three  days'  march  brought 
them  to  the  mountain,  at  Cerro  Gordo,  where  the  enemy  was 
discovered  to  have  made  a  stand.  The  heights  around  bristled 
with   bayonets,  while   very  numerous   and  strong  batteries 


BATTLE   OP   CERRO   GORDO. 


88 


frowned  from  commancling  positions.     A  reconnoissance  was 
made  by  Twiggs,  on  the  12th,  when  he  determined  upon  a 
front  attack  for  the  13th.     Patterson  coming  up,  however, 
resolved  to  await  General  Scott's  orders.     He  arrived  on  the 
l4tli,  and   immediately  made  a  bold  and   thorough  second 
reconnoiter,  accompanied  by  General  Beauregard  and  Colonel 
Lee.     His  keen    eye   caught   the  full  strength  of  the  most 
admirably  disposed  enemy,  and  his  ingenuity  was  tasked  to 
outtlank  those  impregnable  positions.     It  was  resolved  to  cut 
a  road  around  the  base  of  the  mountain,  thus  to  approach  the 
Mexican    lines    from    the    side    and    rear.     But    two    days 
were  consumed  in  this  most  arduous  and  surprising  under- 
taking, which  was  not  discovered  by  the  enemy  until  its  com- 
pletion on  the  17th,  when  they  instantly  opened  a  heavy  fire 
of  grape    and    musketry   upon    the   laborers.     Twiggs   was 
ordered  to  advance  to  engage  the  enemy  in  front.     This  was 
(lone  with  remarkable  spirit  by  Colonel  Harney,  who  suc- 
ceeded in  carryinj^  the  hill  below  the  main  position,  which 
was  retained.     All  was  now  prepared  for  the  'general  assault. 
Tliis  was  made  on  the  18tli.     PillowVi  brigade  was  given  the 
Mexicans'  right  intrenchment — Twiggs'  brigade  the  left,  as  it 
already  had  the  advance.     It  was  to  be  assisted  by  Brigadier- 
General   Shields'  volunteers,  as  occasion  required,     'jreneral 
Worth's  brig'ide  was  to  follow  up  Twiggs.     Scott's  general 
order  of  the  day  specified  the  position  and  duty  of  each  brig- 
ade with  such  accuracy  that  it  is  regarded  by  nilitary  men 
as  a  remarkable  instance  of  sagacious  foresight,  while  it  also 
shows  that  the  troops  were  so  well  oflicered  and  disciplined 
a3  to  render  the  performance  of  an  allotted  duty  a  matter 
of  course. 

The  height  of  Cerro  Gordo  loomed  up  loftily  above  all  the 
enemy's  other  positions,  and  was,  therefore,  the  key  to  the 
entire  battle-ground.  All  night  long,  during  the  17th-18th, 
tlie  men  of  Twiggs'  division  were  dragging  heavy  guns  up  the 
bwer  height,  which  Colonel  Harney  had  secured.  A  heavy 
twenty-four  pounder  and  two  twenty-four  howitzers  were 
placed  in  position,  by  three  a.  m.  Relays  of  five  hundred 
men  did  this  truly  Herculean  labor. 

When  the  morning  broke  the  enemy  perceived  the  daring 
designs  against  them,  and  immediately  opened  their  fire.     It 


84 


THE   LIFE    OF   WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


i 


1 


I' 


i.^f  i 


i^t 


was  answered  by  Twiggs'  battery.  Soon  the  order  passed  :- 
"  Storm  the  height  above  !"  Harney  was  chosen  for  that 
duty ;  with  his  rifles,  tlie  1st  artillery,  the  7th  infantry,  he 
pushed  up  the  hill  in  the  raidst  of  an  appalling  fire.  Sup- 
porting him,  further  on  to  the  right,  were  the  2d  and  U 
infimtry  and  4th  artillery.  The  men  fairly  melted  away 
before  that  hail  of  heavy  balls  and  musketry.  But  on— uii 
Harney  moved — on  to  the  very  muzzles  of  the  enemies'  ^ims, 
The  battery  was  gained.  Then  came  the  hand-to-hand  strug- 
gle. The  Mexican  lancers  did  fearful  execution  with  tlicir 
ugly  weapons,  but  they  were  shot  and  sabered  with  a  fury 
which  not  even  their  quadruple  numbers  could  withstand, 
and  they  soon  gave  way.  A  shout  went  up— then  the  Ameri- 
can colors  appeared  aljove  the  ramparts  : — tlie  height  of  Cerro 
Gordo  was  won — the  victory  secured.  The  enemy  flew  aloiii; 
the  national  road  toward  Jalapa,  to  find  Shields  and  his  vol- 
unteers already  there  to  cut  in  pieces  their  flying  columns, 
Shields  was  shot  through  the  lungs,  but  his  men  bore  all 
before  them,  storming  a  fort  thrown  across  the  highway,  thou 
pursuing  the  routed  ranks. 

Pillow's  assault  upon  the  enemy's  right  was  repulsed  upon 
the  first  attempt.  The  fire  of  La  Vega's  batteries  was  too 
furious  to  withstand.  Wlien  Cerro  Gordo  fell,  however,  ho 
was  at  the  mercy  of  its  guns,  and  surrendered  with  his 
3,000  excellent  soldiers.  Santa  Anna  and  Canalizo,  Avitli 
8,000  men,  were  pursued  far  toward  Jalapa  by  the  reserve 
under  Worth. 

The  results  of  the  victory  were  embarrassing  to  Scott,  for 
they  cumbered  him  with  prisoners,  artillery,  munitions, 
and  the  baggage  of  an  army  of  17,000  men.  The  artillcrv 
secured  embraced  forty-three  valuable  and  beautiful  bron/e 
guns  cast  in  Seville,  Spain.  The  small-arms  Avere  destroyed 
— the  guns  and  baggage  sent  back  to  Vera  Cniz— the  prlM<n»ers 
were  paroled. 

Throughout  that  terrible  ft'ay  Hcott  was  In  the  midst  of  his 
men.  He  stood  by  Harney  when  the  charge  was  made,  and 
watched  its  every  step,  since  on  It  depended  the  issue  of  the 
day.  Ho  was  seen  by  Captain  Totten  "  under  a  canopy  of 
balls" — he  was  everywhere  that  his  presence  was  required; 
and,  under  his  eye  men  and  oflicera  vied  in  de«d»  of  valor. 


ADVANCE  UPON  PUEBLA. 


85 


Jlsed  iij)oii 

s  was  tot) 

)vvever,  lio 

with   J) is 


Scott,  for 

innifions, 

artillcry 

PHtroy,',! 

5t  of  his 
^(le,  and 

i  of   tll(! 
lopy  of 

luircd  ; 
ilor. 


Santa  Anna's  private  carriage  was  secured.  It  con- 
tained, besides  specie,  his  priva"?  papers  and  wardrobe. 
The  specie  was  retained — tlie  papers  and  wardrobe  were 
carefully  preserved,  and  dispatched  to  the  discomfited  com- 
mander. 

After  the  batie,  the  American  columns  pushed  rapidly  on. 
Jalapa  was  entered  April  19th.  La  Hoya,  a  very  strong 
position  beyond,  was  incontinently  abandoned  by  its  garrison. 
The  city  and  the  strong  castle  of  Perote  were  surrendered  to 
Worth  by  Colonel  Velasquez,  April  22d.  Immense  stores  of 
arms  and  munitions  were  found  there.  Garrisoning  these 
positions  as  they  were  secured,  Scott  threw  Worth  forward  to 
Puebla,  which  the  astounded  enemy  were  not  able  to  hold. 
"Worth  occupied  it  on  the  12th  of  May,  after  a  severe  conflict 
with  3,000  men  under  Santa  Anna,  at  Amazoque.  The  Mexi- 
can Commander-in-Chief  hastened  toward  his  capital,  resolved 
to  make  its  vicinity  and  approaches  the  scene  of  his  most 
desperate  defense.  "  War  to  the  knife,"  says  Mayer,  was  the 
rallying  cry  of  the  nation. 

Scott  entered  the  beautiful  and  fumed  city  of  Puebla,  at  the 
head  of  his  troops — now  reduced  l>y  losses,  garrisons,  sickness, 
and  discharged  volunteers  whose  term  of  enlistment  (one  year) 
expired  on  the  march  fr<Mn  ,1:ilap  v  to  Pu«^bla,  to  aboii'.  4,500 
effective  men.  This  number  was  incrt.i>ed  by  re-enlistments 
and  detiuhments  from  the  liospitals  in  the  ivar,  to  about  5,000 
—whicli  was  li  entiix)  army  at  tiio  Crcuoral's  disposal  for 
conquering  liio  eucmy  in  his  strongholds  of  renowned  strength. 


0  II  A  P  T  E  II     X  V . 

^f^:r^0TIATI0NS  for  a  peace — thrih  failure — the  mahoh  on  the  city 

JPROM    PUEBLA — ARRIVAL  AT  THE  LAKKS — THE  RECONNOISSANCE — MARCH 
AROUND  THE  LAKE. 

Tie  negotiations  referred  to  were  in  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Nicholas  P.  Trist— a  most  able  and  cbtimable  man,  thoroughly 
coaversunt  with  the  Spanish  language  and  experienced  in 
Mexican  diplomacy-  a  diplomacy  which,  at  that  time,  was 


I 


THE    LIFE   OP   WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


;>'<: 

-'^■l'' 


vl 


remarkable  chiefly  for  its  duplicity,  insecurity  and  want  of 
authority.  What  one  leader  or  foctiou  treated  for,  a  second 
leader  or  faction  would  abrogate.  No  agreement  seemed 
binding,  for  no  authority  could  be  found  which  assured  per- 
manency. The  idea  of  "  treating  for  a  peace,"  even  when  the 
Mexican  General  was  without  an  army,  was  one  of  weakness 
and  folly,  at  the  best ;  but  it  was  entertained  by  Mr.  Polk ; 
and  General  Scott  held  all  further  operations  in  abeyance  until 
the  "negotiations"  were  ended. 

A.  communication  r.:;s  dispatched  from  Puebla  to  the 
Mexican  Government,  by  Mr.  Trist,  through  the  British 
minister.  Congress  was  called  immediately,  by  the  authori- 
ties, to  pass  upon  the  question  of  peace  or  war.  By  July 
13th  a  quorum  was  barely  assembled,  when  it  resolved  that  it 
was  the  duty  of  the  Executive  to  treat  and  make  alliances 
that  Congress  could  only  approve  or  disapprove  of  them  a:. 
they  were  submitted  by  their  lawful  President  (Dictator). 
This  threw  upon  Santa  Anna  the  responsibility  of  receiving 
Mr.  Trist's  propositions.  But,  that  wily  chief  resolved  not  to 
assume  the  trust,  and  threw  himself  upon  the  mandatory 
decree  passed  by  Congress  (March  31st)  after  the  battle  of 
Cerro  Gordo,  wliich,  he  consistently  alleged,  deprived  him  of 
the  Ugal  power  to  treat.  He  recommended  Congress  to  repeal 
the  decree,  that  he  might  reply  at  least  in  courteous  terms  to 
the  courteous  communication  of  the  American  Commissioner. 
But  a  Congress  of  Mexican  deputies  was  not  to  be  caught  thus 
— it  had  dissolved  before  Santa  Anna's  a])peal  could  be  brought 
before  it.  Tliis  induced  Santa  Anna  to  call  a  council  of  his 
oflicers,  when  it  was  decided  that  *'  it  was  inexpedient  to 
enter  into  negotiations  for  peace  until  another  opportunity 
had  been  afforded  ]\Iexico  to  retrieve  her  fortunes  in  the  field." 
The  idea  prevailed,  it  seems,  that  it  would  be  the  height  of 
pusillanimity  to  treat  when  their  only  enemy  was  Scott  with 
an  army  of  but  5,000  men  in  the  very  heart  of  their  territory. 
But,  the  usual  duplicity  was  behind  all  this  apparent  decision. 

"It  seems  that  the  Mexican  President,  about  the  time  that  the 
public  answer  was  proclaimed,  sent  primte  communications  to 
the  American  head-quarters  at  Puebla,  intimating  that  if  a 
million  of  dollars  were  placed  at  liis  disposal,  to  be  paid  upon 
the  conclusion  of  the  treaty  of  peace,  and  ten  thousand  dollars 


F.ULUIIE   OF   NEGOTIATIONS. 


87 


were  paid  forthwith,  he  would  appoint  commissioners  to  nego- 
tiate. The  proposal  was  received  and  discussed  by  General 
Scott,  Mr.  Trisfc  and  the  leading  officers ;  and  being  agreed  to, 
though  not  unanimously,  the  ten  thousand  dollars  were  dis- 
biuscd  from  the  secret  service  money  which  Scott  had  at  liis 
disposal,  and  communications  were  oj^ened  in  cipher — the  key 
of  which  had  been  sent  to  Mexico.  Intimations  soon  reached 
Piiebla,  from  Santa  Anna,  that  it  would  also  be  necessary  for 
tlic  American  army  to  advance  and  threaten  the  capital ; — and, 
liiuilly,  another  message  was  received,  urging  licott  to  penetrate 
tlie  valley  and  carry  one  of  the  outworks  of  the  Mexican  line 
of  defenses,  in  order  to  enable  liim  to  negotiate." 

This  Mayer  adopts  on  the  authority  of  Major  Ripley's 
"  History  of  the  War  with  Mexico.*'  Mansfield  says  nothing 
of  it,  in  his  biography.  The  result  was,  as  might  have  been 
anticipated — nothing :  the  preliminary  bonus  of  ten  thousand 
dollai-s  had  gone  quietly  into  the  ^Mexican  General's  private 
fund.  It  was  now  discovered  that  Santa  Anna  was  gathering 
a  powerful  army*  around  the  city — that  he  was  strengthening 
nil  of  its  defenses,  and  designed  to  stake  his  future  claims  for 
power  upon  the  issue  of  a  conflict.  The  apparently  good 
time  wasted,  in  this  etfort  to  negotiate  a  peace,  had  been  pro- 
pitious to  the  American  General,  however,  since  it  afforded 
time  for  the  reinforcements,  so  long  delayed,  to  come  up ;  and 
when  the  Commissioner  found  his  occupation  gone,  Scott 
resumed  most  determined  otfensive  operations.  His  army 
under  date. of  August  7tli  is  reported  to  have  been  14,000, 
composed  of  his  original  brigades  strengthened  by  those 
of  General  Pierce's  coqDS  (2,409),  Cadwallader's  brigade 
(1,400)  and  Pillow's  l)rigade,  new  (1,800).  Leaving  Colonel 
Cliilds  in  garrison  at  Puebla  with  1,400  men,  and  sick  and 
wounded  in  hospital  to  the  number  of  1,860  (of  whom  700 
.afterward  died !),  Scott  took  up  his  line  of  advance,  August 
7tli— Colonel  Harney's  brigade  of  cavalry  leading,  followed 
the  same  day  by  the  3d  divisicm  under  Twiggs ;  on  the  8th, 
Quitman's  division  (volunteei*s) ;  on  the  9th,  Worth's  division, 
tlie  Ist;  on  the  10th,  Pillow's  division,  the  3d.  Scott  accom- 
panied Colonel  Harney's  brigade,  in  advance.f 

*  viz :— General  Valencia's  corps,  .5,000  strong,  with  thirfy-slx  pieces  of 
artillery,  passed  down  from  San  Luis  Potosi,  and  General  Alvarez  with 
6,000  Pinto  and  Finos  Indiana  from  the  north,  were  added  to  the  forces— 
which,  hy  Aumii^t  1st,  amounted  to  30,0(K)  excellent  troops,  eager  to  fight. 

t  The  canatUullon  of  the  divisions  was  as  follows :— Itst.,  V/orth's,  ooiii- 


88 


THE   LIFE   OP   WIN  FIELD   SCOTT. 


m 


The  main  (National)  road  was  traveled  direct  from  Puebla 
to  the  valley  of  the  city.     In  that  valley  (a  nearly  circular 
formation  about  fifty  miles  in  diameter,  around  which  frown 
the  eternal  Cordilleras)  arc   six  small  lakes.     The  city  lies 
west  of  the  largest,  Lake  Tezcuco,  near  its  waters.     The 
mountains  approach  it  closely,  on  the  west.     Lakes  Chalco 
and  Xochimilico  lie  a  few  miles  to  the  south,  adjoining  ciich 
other.     The  National  highway  runs  along  the  south  sliore  of 
Tezcuco.     The   grand    highway   leading    from    tlie    city  to 
Acapulco,  on  the  Pacific,  runs  to  the  west  of  the  Lake  Xochi- 
milico, and  nearly  at  right  angles  with  the  National  road.     It 
passes  through  the  villages  San  Augustin  and  San  Antonio. 
To  the  west  of  the  Acapulco  road  is  still  another  highway 
called    the   Toluca    road,    passing   through    Tacubaya,   and 
approaching  the  city  by  the  heights  of  Chapultepec.     On  the 
Acapulco  road,  between  San  Antonio  and  the  city  are  the 
villages  of  Cherubusco  and  Mexicalzingo.     Contreras  lies  to 
the  west  of  San  Augustin  in  the  midst  of  the  "  field  of  lava." 
This  statement  will  show  the  relative  positions  of  the  places 
which   have  now  become  so  memorable  in  history.     Each 
were  only  accessible  over  their  respective  highways.     The 
Mexicans  had  fortified  these  causewnys  in  numerous  places, 
in  a  most  effective  manner.     The  approaches  to  the  city  may 
be  said  truly  to  have  '*  bristled  witli  impassabilities."     Impos- 
sible as  it  may  seem,  Scott  had  actually  planned  the  details 
of  his  movements  upon  the  city,  before  he  left  Washington, 
and,  in  his  subsequent  actions,  followed  out  his  original  design 
almost  exclusively. 

On  the  Uth  Twiggs'  division  reached  Ayotla,  on  Lake 
Chalco.  Worth's  division  took  position  near  the  village  of 
Chalco,  on  the  south  end  of  the  lake,  about  five  miles  from 
Ayotla.  Between  them  were  quartered  Pillow's  and  Quit- 
man's commands.  To  the  surprise  of  his  officers  he  ordered 
the  capital  to  be  approached  by  tlie  Acapulco  road — to  reach 


■fcri: 


prised  the  hritfades  of  Colonels  Garland  and  Clarke ;  2d,  Twipgs',  com- 
prised tlie  brisjiides  of  General  Smith  and  Colonel  Ililev;  .3d,  Pillow's,  the 
brigades  of  Generals  Cartwallader  and  Pierce ;  4th,  Quitman's,  General 
Shields'  and  a  second  bri<^tule  composed  of  a  detachment  of  United  States 
marines  and  the  2d  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  Colonel  Harney's  cavalry 
was  composed  of  the  1st  drajjoons,  Captain  Kearney;  2d,  Major  Sumner; 
8d,  Captain  McReynolds.  Shields'  brigade  was  composed  of  the  New  York 
»ud  South  Carolina  voluutcerB, 


TRErARATIOKS   FOll   THE   ATTACK. 


kliich  it  would  be  necessary  to  pass  around  the  two  lakes,  on 
their  south  sides,  by  a  long  deserted  road.     To  show  that 
such  a  movement  was  required  he  ordered  a  reconnoissance 
by  the  direct  route  immediately  in  front — a  duty  intrusted  to 
the  rifle   regiment,  of  Twiggs'    division    (Smith's   brigade), 
accompanied  by  three  companies  of  cavalry.     At  Penon,  on 
the  National  highway,  was  found  a  most  formidable  fortifica- 
tion, mounting  fifty-one  ^ns,  completely  commanding  and 
enfilading  the  aj)proach.     Crossing  over  to  Mexicalingo,  five 
[steni  batteries  were  discovered  evidently  as  eager  for  victims 
as  tlie  ancient  deity  of  the  Aztecs  who  used  to  reign  and  riot 
ill  those  identical  localities.     This  bold  reconnoiter  (August 
12th)  demonstrated  the  necessity  of  what  Scott  had  ordered. 
The  divisions  therefore  took  up  their  march  August  15th, 
^\'orth's  in  the  advance.     In  two  days'  time,  after  a  very 
arduous  tramp,  San  Augustin,  on  the  Acapulco  road,  was 
reiiclied.     Twiggs'   division    brought   up   the   train — Smith's 
biigade  forming  the  rear-guard.     This  most  important  move- 
raeut  tuDied  the  enti/'G  line  of  defenses  of  tlie  enemy,  who  looked 
lor  the  approach  direct  over  the  eastern    highway.     Now 
Scott  was  within  nine  miles  of  the  capital,  on  a  road  but 
[larlially  fortified,  with  a  country  before  him  over  which  he 
could  move  his  trains  and  cavalry,  without  fear  of  bogs  and 
water-courses.     His  occupation  of  San  Augustin  somewhat 
disconcerted  the  Mexican  defense ;  but,  seeing  the  imminence 
of  the  danger,  Santa  Anna  threw  General  Valencia,  with  the 
choicest  forces  in  his  army,  into  Coutreras  heights,  five  miles 
to  tlie  left  of  Scott's  head-quarters.     This  only  partially  forti- 
liod  position  Valencia  took  hasty  steps  to  place  in  order  for 
strong  resistance.     Toward  the  city,  in  Scott's  direct  line  of 
march,  was  Cherubusco  church  and  b/idge,  which  General 
lUncon  sought,  by  extraordinary  exertions,  to  render  invincible 
and   impassable.     He    garrisoned   them    with   the    National 
Guards  and  several  batteries  of  heavy  artillery.     Santa  Anna 
Iiiiuself  threw  up  intrencliraents  at  San  Angel,  on  the  Aca- 
pulco road,  nearer  the  city  than  Contreras,  while  San  Antonio, 
the  first  position,  in  front  of  Scott,  was  put  in  possession  of 
choice  troops  and  very  formidable  batteries. 

Besides  these  central  defenses  the  highways  and  cause- 
ways were  fortified  at  all  points  where  resistance  could  be 


00 


THE    I.IFE   OF   WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


effective.  Full  30,000  troops  were  at  Santa  Anna's  cVinposal, 
together  with  an  immense  supply  of  artillery.  He  disposed  them  | 
with  the  judgment  of  an  able  tactician  and  shrewd  strategist. 
His  defenses  were  sematim : — if  driven  from  one  he  could  fall 
upon  another,  and  thus,  by  compelling  Scott  to  take  them  in 
detail,  he  hoped  so  to  weaken  his  force  as  to  render  him 
incapable  of  coping  with  the  inner  lines  of  intrenchmcnts 
and  fortresses,  which  were  of  tremendous  strength.  The 
height  of  Chapultepec  was  regarded  as  impregnable.  Our 
American  General  fully  penetrated  the  design  of  his  antagonist, 
and  prepared  for  all  emergen'^ies  with  a  sagacity  which  never 
has  failed  in  an  hour  of  need. 


CHAPTER     XVI. 

THE  MARCH  ON  CONTEEKAS— THE  FIELD  OP  LAVA — THE  PRELIMINAUT 
ASSAULT — ITS  ILL  SrcCESS — THE  MIDNIGHT  MARCH — THE  ASSAULT  AXI) 
THE  VICTORY — THE  PURSUIT — ASSAULT  UPON  SAN  ANTONIO'— OATHERIXC. 
OF  THE  FOKCES  AT  CHEUUBUSCO — BATTLE  OF  THE  BRIDGE — THE  CHURCH 
AND  THE  OPEN  FIELD — THE  FINAL  VICTORY — NIGHT  ON  THE  FIELD  OP 
BATTLE. 

A  RECONNOI8SANCE  was  Ordered  by  the  American  Geneial 
on  the  18th,  to  determine  with  precision  the  positions  and 
ability  of  the  enemy.  San  Antonio  was  found  to  be  accessible 
only  over  a  long,  narrow  causewaj-,  flanked  on  the  east  by  im- 
passable ditches  and  bogs.  To  the  left  of  it  lay  the  pedrigal 
(field  of  lava)  composed  of  the  most  chaotic  eruptive  matter 
and  deemed  perfectly  impassable.  It  was  resolved  to  reach  it 
by  turning  it.  To  do  this  it  was  necessary  to  use  the  road 
limning  west  of  the  pedrigal.  A  reconnoiter  showed  this  to 
be  fortified  at  Contreras.  Against  this  outwork  Scott  resolved 
to  strike  his  first  blow.  Pillow's  division  was  given  the  ad- 
vance. It  opened  the  way  slowly  and  laboriously  for  Twiggs' 
division,  which  started  at  one  o'clock,  for  the  attack.  Captain 
Magruder's  field  battery  of  six  and  twelve  pounders  and 
Lieutenant  Callender's  mountain  howitzers  and  rockets  fol- 
lowed. A  brief  march  brought  General  Smith's  brigade  in 
eight  of  Valencia's  intrenchmcnts  on  the  heights.     Beyond 


»[ARCn   ON   CONTRERAS. 


him  could  be  seen  large  bodies  of  troops  moving  up  and  down 
the  road  as  if  throwing  reinforcements  into  all  their  points  of 
defense  along  the  way. 

Owing  to  the  extremely  rough  and  almost  impassable  nature 
of  the  ground  the  troops  progressed  with  great  difficulty. 
They  could  not  march  in  column,  and  deployed  in  illy  formed 
lines  before  the  enemy's  works.     The  action  was  opened  by  a 
few  of  Magruder's  light  guns  only,  as  the  twelve  pounders 
could  not  be  got  over  the  impassable  rocks.     The  reply  was 
very  severe,  as  Valencia  had  twenty-ttco  well  served  guns.     It 
made  the  intrepid  assailants  pause  in  thiir  approach.     The 
cavalry  could  not  form  at  all — the  broken  and  volcanic  field 
forbade  it.     Only  the  rifles  and  3d  infantry  could  aid,  with 
small-arms,  the  light  artillery.     It  was  evident  to  Scott  that 
lie  must  turn  the  position  of  the  enemy  and  strike  in  both 
front  and  rear.     He  would  then  be  able  to  force  the  height 
from  its  weak  side,  and  cut  oiT  the  heavy  and  constant  rein- 
forcements which   Santa  Anna,  in  person,  was  seen  to  bo 
throwing   into    the    works.     The    contest   of  the   afternoon 
tlecided  this      The  troops  were  drawn  off  at  nightfall,  after  a 
three  hours'  "  brush,"  and  were  disposed  for  their  double  game 
of  strategy  and  fight.*     Early  in  the  morning  a  portion  of 
Pillow's  division — General  Cadawallader's  brigade — moved  to- 
ward the  hamlet  of  Coutrej  >^^,  situated  on  the  road  to  the 
capital,  below  the  heights.     Ci    »nel  Morj^an,  with  the  4th  in- 
fantry, proceeded  to  the  village  uf  Anselda,  beyond  the  ham- 
let, where  he  was  joined  by  General   Shields  with  his  two 
regiments  of  New  York  and  South  Carolina  volunteers.     The 
night  was  very  dark,  wet   an  i  chilling,  and  the  march  over 
that  field  of  stones  was  extremely  painful ;  but  it  was  made, 
in  good  order  and.  in  great  sileur/e.    By  midnight  th'^  brigades 
of  Smith,   Riley    and  ShTelds,  and  liansom's  regulars,  had 

*  This  is  Mansfield's  statement.  Brantz  Mayer  states  the  matter  some- 
what difl'erently.  We  may  therefore  quote  his  version : — "  Firing  at  a 
long  distance  again?  t  h\\  intrenched  camp  was  worse  than  useless  on  such 
a  ground,  and  alth«'agh  General  Smitli's  and  Colonel  Riley's  brigades, 
supported  by  General  i'ievco's  and  Cadwdllader's,  had  be  enunder  a  neavy 
fire  of  artillery  and  Tiuiskctry  for  more  than  three  hours  along  the  almost 
impassable  ravine  in  iron  f  and  to  the  left  of  the  Mexican  camp  yet  so  little 
had  been  eflected  in  destioying  the  position  that  the  main  reliance  for  suc- 
cess was  correctly  judged  to  be  in  an  assault  at  close  quarters.  The  plan 
had  been  arranged  in  the  night  by  Brigadier-General  Persifer  F.  Smith, 
and  was  sanctioned  by  General  Scott,  to  whom  it  was  communicated 'by 
the  indefatigable  diligence  of  Captain  Lee,  of  the  Engineers." 


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93 


Tiro    LIFE    OF    WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


obtained  their  position,  and  tliere  they  stood  in  the  drenching 
rain,  chilled  to  the  very  marrow,  until  three  o'clock  a.  m.  (on 
the  20th)  when  the  first  gray  streak  of  light  allowed  them  to 
move.  Riley,  Cadwallader  and  Smith  defiled  their  men  into 
the  rear  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  through  a  ravine,  which  so 
covered  their  approach  that  they  came  to  a  halt  almost  within 
leaping  distance  of  the  the  Mexican  guns.  All  being  ready 
the  word  ^^  charge  T^  broke  the  stillness  of  the  morning.  The 
Mexicans  were  completely  surprised — all  their  attention  hav- 
ing been  given  to  the  front  and  southern  approaches,  from 
whence  Scott  had  made  his  first  demonstration  the  previous 
afternoon.  The  struggle  was  brief,  but  extremely  bloody,  for 
the  Spaniards  fought  with  the  desperation  of  despair.  Val- 
encia's enjtire  columns  soon  were  leaping  from  the  embank- 
ments. Hying  toward  the  city.  But  Shields,  with  his  volun- 
teers, was  ready  on  the  highway,  and  caught  the  columns  as 
they  passed  in  the  network  of  a  terrible  cross-fire.  The 
victory  was  complete.  Scott  reported  as  the  results  of  the 
atfair : — '*  One  road  to  the  capital  opened ;  700  of  the  enemy 
killed;  813  prisoners,  including,  among  88  ofiicers,  4  Gen- 
erals ;*  23  pieces  of  brass  ordnance,  half  of  large  caliber ; 
thousands  of  small-arms  and  accoutcrments ;  an  immense 
quanilty  of  shot,  shells,  powder  and  cartridges ;  700  pack- 
mules,  etc.,  etc.,  all  in  our  hands." 

The  number  of  Americans  engaged  was  4,500 ;  that  of  the 
enemy,  under  Valencia,  in  the  works,  was  7,000 ;  while  Santa 
Anna  held  13,000  in  reserve  at  San  Angel.  The  divisions  of 
Worth  and  Quitman,  which  were  to  aid  the  assault  by  diversions 
in  front  (on  the  east)  wore  too  late  for  the  action — the  enemy 
being  routed  before  they  could  form  on  the  stony  field.  The 
victory,  as  Scott  reported,  opened  one  highway  to  the  city, 
lie  therefore  allowed  the  troops  no  rest,  but  ordered  Twiggs 
and  Pillow  to  follow  up  the  fiying  enemy  and  press  them  as 
far  in  retreat  as  possible,  since  the  pursuit  would  give,  also, 
the  rear  approach  planned  against  the  strong  post  of  San 
Antonio,  which  commanded  the  other  Toa.f\  to  the  capital. 
Quitman's  and  Worth's  divisions,  meanwhile,  wore  ordered  to 
countermarch,  the  first  to  garrison  the  head-quarters  and  depot 
at  San  Augustin,  the  others  to  carry  the  assault  on  Antonio 
from  the  front.  Garland's  and  Clarke's  brigades  moved  upon 

*  Salas,  Mcndoza  Qarcia,  and  Qaadalnpe. 


CHERUBUSCO. 


93 


eacliing 
M.  (on 
them  to 
len  into 
liich  so 
t  within 
ready 
Tiic 
f)n  Lav- 
from 
)revious 
3dy,  for 
Val- 
mbank- 
volun- 
imns  as 
The 
of  the 
enemy 
4  Gen- 
caliber ; 
omense 
[)  pack- 

of  the 
'  Santa 
ons  of 
ersions 
enemy 
-    The 
e  city. 
'wi.g-gs 
cm  as 
,  also, 
f  San 
ipital. 
ed  to 
depCt 
tonio 
upon 


that  location,  when  the  enemy,  learning  of  the  disaster  at  Con- 
treras,  withdrew,  before  the  approaching  brigades.  But,  the 
rapidly  moving  infantry  of  Colonel  Clarke  passed  the  place, 
and,  falling  upon  the  retreating  garrison,  cut  it  in  two  —  the 
advance  flying  on  to  Cherubusco,  in  f'*int,  while  the  remainder 
(about  2,000)  under  General  Bravo,  retreated  east,  toward 
Dolores.  Garland's  brigade  moving  directly  in  front,  passed 
over  the  causeway  and  took  possession  of  San  Antonio,  its 
defenses  and  public  property.  One  General  was  secured  as 
prisoner.  Then,  uniting  his  force  to  that  of  Clarke,  the  enemy 
was  pursued  into  Cherubusco,  around  which  the  other  divisions 
of  the  invading  army  had  already  centered  by  the  road  from  San 
Angel.  Worth's  brigade  came  up  to  find  Twiggs  already  on 
the  field,  in  action. 

Cherubusco  is  about  five  miles  from  Contrcras.  Its  defenses 
were  very  strong  and  well  ordered,  consisting  of  a  bridge  over 
the  Cherubusco  river  fortified  by  two  bastions  with  curtains — 
strongly  garrisoned  and  mounting  heavy  batteries — and  the 
church  of  Cherubusco,  a  very  heavily  built  stone  structure, 
450  yards  to  the  west  of  the  bridge,  encompassed  by  two  lines 
of  defense,  an  outer  field  wall  and  an  inner  stone  masonry 
erection,  high  above  which  arose  the  church.  This  edifice 
and  its  outworks  gave  quarters  for  a  large  body  of  men.  It 
was  so  armed  at  all  points  as  to  prove  very  formidable.  The 
outside  field  intrenchment  and  wall  was  high  enough  to  be 
pierced  for  two  ranges  of  guns,  which,  besides  commanding  a 
■wide  range,  would  throw  a  close,  plunging  fire  upon  approach- 
ing columns.  Santa  Anna  had  centered,  at  Cherubusco,  be- 
sides its  ordinary  force,  all  his  available  field  forces  and  the 
remnant  of  the  garrisons  of  Antonio  and  Contreras.  It  was 
the  last  position  of  all  the  city's  outer  line  of  defenses.  Ho 
must  hold  it  if  possible.  Scott,  in  person,  tarried,  without  an 
escort,  at  Coyohacan,  one  mile  from  the  church,  from  whence 
he  might  watch  and  direct  the  movements  for  the  assault. 

Worth's  division  pursued  the  routed  garrison  of  Antonio 
up  to  the  causeway  leading  to  the  tete  dti  pont  (bridge  head). 
He  there  found  Twiggs  already  engaged  in  a  sharp  assault  on 
the  church,  aided  by  Taylor's  artillery,  while,  further  to  the 
west,  on  the  Mexicans'  right.  Pierce  and  Shields  were  actively 
engaged  in   forcing    the   enemy's   field  lines.     Worth   was 


^n 


94 


THE   LIFE    OP   WINPIELD    SCOTT. 


instructed  immediately  to  assault  the  bridge  bastions,  over  the 
causeway.  The  various  brigades  and  regiments  of  Cadwal- 
lader,  Garland,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Smith,  Clarke,  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Scott  and  Major  White,  therefore  pressed  upon 
the  work,  which  served  its  artillery  with  wonderful  fury  and 
precision.  But,  the  reply  was  equally  spirited,  and  the 
advance  was  steady.  In  an  hour  such  breaches  were  made 
as  determined  the  assault.  It  was  made,  and  the  works  car- 
ried at  the  bayonet's  point.  The  guns  were  then  turned  upon 
the  church,  (the  citadel,  it  is  called  in  the  dispatches)  which 
still  held  out  against  Twiggs'  desperate  attempts.  The  loss 
of  the  bridge,  however,  soon  sent  up  a  white  flag  from  tlic 
church,  but  it  was  quickly  hauled  down,  apparently  by  vio- 
lent hands.  The  3d  infiintr)--,  seeing  this,  rushed  forward, 
under  Captains  Alexander  and  J.  M.  Smith,  and  Lieutf.nant 
O.  L.  Shepherd  ;  and,  with  bayonet  and  sword,  soon  compelled 
tlie  white  flag  again  to  show  itself  In  a  moment  more  the 
colors  of  the  gallant  3d  flew  from  the  church  tower,  amid  the 
wildest  huzzas  of  the  troops  around.  Even  the  old  Mexican 
General,  Rincon,  was  gratified  at  the  spirit  shown,  and  smiled 
his  satisfaction.  He  had  made  a  most  obstinate  resistance, 
greatly  aided  by  a  hundred  deserters  from  the  American 
camp,  led  by  one  Thomas  Riley,  an  Irishman.  These  men 
fought  with  thd  most  reckless  courage,  for,  once  taken,  they 
knew  their  ignominious  fate.  It  was  Riley  who  drew  down 
the  first  flag  of  truce  shown.  He  originally  belonged  to  the 
3d  infantry,  and  his  capture  was  a  source  of  great  satisfaction 
to  his  outraged  comrades.  For  three  hours  the  brigades  of 
Riley  and  Smith  literally  stood  "  in  a  whirlwind  of  fire  and  a 
storm  of  balls,"  unflinching,  and  confident  of  ultimate  success. 
That  success  rewarded  their  valor :  Rincon  and  many  of  his 
oflicers  and  men  were  prisoners,  and  the  way  to  the  "  Halls 
of  the  Montezumas"  lay  open  before  the  conquering  host. 

General  Shields  conducted  his  men  to  a  stern  battle-field. 
Santa  Anna  in  person  commanded  the  field  forces,  to  the  west 
and  rear  of  the  bridge  and  church,  7,000  strong,  nearly  one- 
half  cavalry.  The  volunteers  of  New  York  and  South  Caro- 
lina were,  side  by  side,  led  on  to  the  charge.  Whole  com- 
panies were  decimated,  and  leader  after  leader  disappeared 
from  the  front  of  the  undaunted  brigades.     Shields  and  Pierce 


THE    BATTLE    FIELD   BIVOUAC. 


95 


and  the  gallant  Butler  rode  everywhere  over  the  crimson 
field.  Butler  fell,  Pierce  fainted  from  exhaustion,  and  Shields 
alone  led  the  battle  front.  The  invincible  Rifles  came  to  his 
aid,  then  Harney  with  his  splendid  cavalry.  Finally  Worth's 
and  Pillow's  men,  having  passed  the  bridge,  rushed  on  over 
the  highway  to  the  conflict,  but  it  was  won : — the  enemy  was 
flying  before  Shields'  thoroughly  infuriated  ranks,  and  Captain 
Kearney,  daship?^  through  the  victorious  columns  with  his 
dragoons,  rode  down  the  Mexicans,  up  to  the  very  gates  of 
the  city. 

Thus  closed  the  day's  action.  A  momentous  day  it  was 
for  A.merican  arms.  Five  desperate  conflicts — two  long,  run- 
ning fights — a  midnight  march  in  rain  and  cold — a  day  of 
hurrying  advance : — surely  the  troops  had  earned  repose. 
Alas !  many  had  won.  a  sleep  which  no  battle  alarums  would 
ever  disturb. 

The  recall  was  sounded.  Troops  bivouacked  on  the  field 
of  battle — each  division  on  its  own  conquered  position.  The 
wounded  were  borne  to  the  church,  now  the  hospital ;  the 
dead  were  buried  by  the  fitful  glare  of  camp-fires,  while  vol- 
leys fired  over  graves  broke  the  night  stillness  with  their 
painful  dirges.  By  midnight  all  was  hushed  into  repose. 
Scott  alone  seemed  not  to  sleep.  His  commanding  form  was 
seen  gliding  everywhere  through  the  gloom,  like  a  good  spirit, 
watching  over  his  children.  Well  he  might  walk  the  battle- 
field, for  what  was  to  be  the  fate  of  the  morrow  ? 


CHAPTER     XVII. 

THB  BATTLES  OF  MOLINO   DBL   RET  AND  THE   CASA   DB   MATA — AWFUL  CAS- 
NAQR — BRILLIANT  VICTORY— SCOTT's  STRATEGY. 

The  city  of  Mexico  was  in  great  tumult  on  the  nigbt  of 
the  20th.  The  discomfited  troops  entered  the  gates  in  thor- 
ough disorganization,  and  Santa  Anna  hastened  to  convene 
the  Ministers  of  State  to  determine  upon  the  course  to  be 
pursued.  It  was  an  exciting  session  of  the  high  functionaries, 
and  the  chief  found  the  sentiment  not  only  averse  to  a  capitu- 
lation, but  also  extremely  direct  against  him  for  allowing  an 
army  of  9,000  men  to  drive  before  it  30,000  fresh  troops, 


M 


THE    LIFE   OP   WINFlfcLD    SCOTT. 


splendidly  mounted  and  strongly  intrenched.  As  usual  with 
the  Mexican  leaders  the  blame  of  defeat  was  thrown  upon  the 
defeated  officers  : — ^^as  if  Santa  Anna  had  not  been  the  master 
spirit  of  the  vhole  defense,  and  had  not,  himself,  chosen  the 
place  of  honor  on  the  field  of  Cherubusco  in  trjing  to  turn 
the  American  left !  The  wish  for  a  truce  was  expressed, 
however.  It  was,  therefore,  resolved  to  send  the  British 
Consul-General,  Mr.  Mackintosh,  and  the  Spanish  Mmister, 
Sefior  Bermudez  de  Castro,  to  negotiate  for  a  suspension  of 
hostilities  to  bury  the  dead.  The  Consul  passed  >)ut  to  the 
American  camp  to  sound  Scott  on  the  question  of  an  armistice 
and  a  peace.  He  found  the  chief  disinclined  to  any  accom- 
modation, save  an  armistice  to  be  demanded  by  the  authorities 
in  view  of  a  treaty  of  peace  and  amity,  for  which  treaty,  a 
special  Commissioner,  Mr.  Trist,  accompanied  the  army,  fully 
empowered  to  act  in  conjunction  with  Scott.  He  so  wrote 
to  Santa  Anna,  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  at  the  same  time 
preparing  to  move  forward  on  Tacubaya.  Santa  Anna  couhl 
but  agree  to  an  armistice  for  the  meeting  of  commissioners ; 
and  Scott,  acthig  from  a  deep  sense  of  duty,  strove,  in  all 
ways,  to  induce  the  Mexican  people  and  commissioners  to 
come  to  terms.     He  wrote,  August  28th  : — 

"  After  so  many  victories,  we  might,  with  but  little  additional 
loss,  have  occupied  the  capital  the  same  evening.  But  Mr. 
Trist,  Commissioner,  etc.,  as  well  as  myself,  had  been  admon- 
ished by  the  best  friends  of  peace — intelligent  neutrals  and  some 
American  residents — against  precipitation;  lest,  by  wantonly 
driving  away  the  Government  and  others,  dishonored,  we  might 
scatter  the  elements  of  peace,  excite  a  spirit  of  national  despe- 
ration, and  tlius  indefinite!}'  postpone  the  hope  of  accommo- 
dation. Deeply  impressed  with  this  danger,  and  remembering 
our  mission — to  conquer  a  peace — the  army  very  cheerfully 
sacrificed  to  patriotism,  to  the  great  wish  and  want  of  our 
country,  the  edat  that  would  have  followed  an  entrance,  sword 
in  hand,  into  a  great  capital.  Willing  to  leave  something  to 
this  republic — of  no  immediate  value  to  us — on  which  to  rc-st 
her  pride,  and  to  recover  temper,  I  halted  our  victorious  corps 
at  the  gates  of  the  city  (at  least  for  a  time)  and  have  them  now 
cantoned  in  the  neighboring  villages,  where  they  are  well  shel- 
tered and  supplied  with  all  necessaries." 

This  gives  the  key  to  the  armistice  granted.  The  negoti- 
ations progressed  very  unsatisfactorily — so  much  so  that,  on 
September  7th  at  noon,  when  it  closeil  from  expiration,  Scott 


woi 
in 


CHAPULTEPEC. 


97 


took  steps  for  a  final  conquest  of  the  city.  The  interval  of 
peace  had  been  employed  by  Santa  Anna  in  sending  arms 
and  supplies  to  Chapultepec  Castle,  and  in  generally  preparing 
his  anny  for  another  struggle — in  total  violation  of  the  articles 
of  armistice ;  but,  what  could  be  expected  of  a  leader  so 
notoriously  perfidious  as  Santa  Anna  ?  Scott  warned  him  of 
his  breach  of  faith.  Santa  Anna  replied  by  charging  Scott 
Tvith  a  desecration  of  temples,  with  outrages  of  his  troops 
upon  the  people,  etc. — in  all  of  which  there  was  little  truth. 
Tiie  charges  were  preforred  as  some  extenuation  for  his  OAvn 
bad  faith. 

Scott's  head-quarters,  during  the  armistice,  were  at  Tacu- 
baya.  In  front,  about  twelve  hundred  yards  distant,  arose 
the  height  of  Chapultepec,  crowned  with  a  fortress  of 
renowned  strength.  It  was  two  and  a  half  miles  distant 
from  the  city.  Two  causeways  ran  from  it  to  the  two  city 
gates,  Belen  and  San  Cosmo.  A  causeway  also  ran  from 
Tacubaya,  by  way  of  Piedad,  to  the  Belen  gate.  The  Castle 
guns  commanded  all  these  avenues  of  approach  to  the  city, 
while  its  heavy  mortars  could  play  into  the  city.  It  was, 
therefore,  necess*:^  to  possess  the  height,  if  the  Americans 
would  enter  by  the  Belen  and  San  Cosmo  gates.  Not  only 
the  top  of  the  hill  was  fortified,  but  tho  two  ascents  were 
encompassed  with  barriers  and  outlying  fortifications.  On 
its  northern,  eastern  and  southern  sides  the  height  was  quite 
abrupt.  The  most  available  ascent  was  from  the  western 
front,  up  a  slope,  through  a  dense  forest.  That  ascent  was 
guarded  by  the  several  positions  of  MoUno  del  Rey  (King's 
Mill),  Cdsa  de  Mata,  etc.  The  first  named,  although  called  a 
mill,  Scott  learned  was,  in  truth,  a  foundry  where  quantities 
of  cannon  and  shot  had  been  recently  cast.  Church  bells  had 
been  carried  thither  during  the  two  days  previous  to  the  7th, 
and  came  forth,  mounted  on  the  bastions  of  the  Casa  de  Mata, 
as  powerful  ordnance.  The  Ca-m  de  Mata  was  a  fine  out- 
work. It  stood  about  four  hundred  yards  west  of  "  the  mill," 
in  a  line  with  it  and  the  Castle. 

To  assault  and  render  useless  to  the  enemy  these  two 
works,  was  the  first  step  toward  operating  against  the  height. 
Worth  was  ordered  to  carry  them  by  storm,  to  capture  the 
artillery,  destroy  the  furnaces,  etc.,  then  to  return  to  Tacubaya 


!    :' 


08 


THE   LIFE   OP   WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


rf 


to  await  further  developments  of  the  plan  of  action.  If, 
taking  these  works,  did  not  suffice  "  to  conquer  the  peace" 
sought  for,  the  Castle  would  then  be  won.  Worth  put  \m 
columns  in  motion  at  three  a.  m.,  on  the  8tli  (September). 
His  forces  consisted  of  tlie  1st  division,  2,000  ;  Cadwallader's 
brigade,  Voltigeurs,  784 ;  dragoons  and  mounted  riflemen 
under  Major  Sumner,  270  ;  Drum's  battery  (three  field-pieces) 
and  Huger's  battery  (two  twenty-four  pounders),  100  ;  making 
a  total  of  3,154  men  first  carried  to  the  assault.  It  was  after- 
ward strengthened  to  a  force  of  3,251.  The  enemy  were,  it 
afterward  appeared,  well  prepared  for  the  attack,  and  the  two 
positions  named,  with  their  connecting  intrcnchments,  con- 
tained about  14,000  men,  10,000  of  whom  were  at  the 
intrenched  lines,  or  held  in  reserve.  All  had  been  disposed 
by  Santa  Anna,  in  person.  General  Perez  commanded  at  the 
Cam  de  Mata^  General  Leon  at  *'  the  mill,"  General  Ramirez 
at  the  intrcnchments. 

"Worth  bent  his  first  attack  upon  the  intrenched  line,  as 
being  the  weakest  and  most  assailable  point.  Five  hundred 
picked  men  under  Major  Wright  of  the  Stli  infantry,  suj)- 
ported  by  Huger's  powerful  battery,  were  detailed  for  this 
duty.  Garland's  brigade,  supported  by  Drum's  .battei'y,  was 
thrown  upon  *'  the  mill" — if  possible  to  cut  it  off  from  support 
from  the  Castle.  Colonel  Mcintosh,  with  the  2d  brigade  and 
Duncan's  battery,  were  assigned  to  the  Casa  de  Mata^  while 
Cadwallader's  brigade  of  Voltigeurs  was  held  on  a  ridge  near 
the  center  as  a  reserve. 

Huger's  guns  opened  at  daybreak,  on  the  8th.  They  tore 
into  "the  mill"  fearfully,  and  diverted  the  enemy's  center, 
when  Wright  dashed  forward  with  his  picked  men  to  assault 
the  lines.  They  drove  the  Mexicans  before  them  and  seized 
the  field-battery  to  turn  it  upon  the  fugitives.  But,  seeing 
the  paucity  of  numbers  in  the  attack,  the  enemy  rallied  and 
came  into  the  field  with  extreme  desperation.  Their  vollej-s 
of  musketry  were  rapid  as  a  fired  train,  and  the  slaughter  of 
Americans  was  correspondingly  appalling.  Eleven  officers  of 
fourteen  were  killed,  when  the  men  shrunk  back  in  dismay 
at  the  unexpected  carnage.  The  Mexicans,  calling  in  their 
reserve  from  the  grove,  pressed  their  advantage  and  regained 
their  battery.     But,  only  for  a  moment.     Cadwallader  threw 


car 
dull 
cat] 
ual 
it,J 
eei 
ofl 

Bis 

he 


ASSAULT   ON   THE   CASA   DE   MATA. 


99 


line,  as 
lundrcd 
ry,  snp- 
for  this 
ii'y,  was 
support 
idc  and 
I,  while 
ge  near 

ey  tore 

center, 

assault 

.  seized 

secinii' 

ed  and 

volleys 

liter  of 

3ers  of 

3ismay 

a  their 

gained 

threw 


a  regiment,  under  Captain  E.  Kirby  Smith,  into  the  field  :^ 
the  men  rallied  and  the  enemy  were  effectually  routed,  after 
making  a  determined  resistance. 

Mblino  'del  Rey^  in  the  mean  time,  opened  its  sharpest  fire 
on  Garland's  brigade  advancing  on  the  enemy's  left.  Drum's 
battery  replied  powerfully,  when  the  Americans  walked  right 
into  the  inclosure,  carried  the  building  at  the  bayonet's  point, 
and  turned  its  guns  so  as  to  enfilade  all  approaches  from  the 
Castle.  The  garrison  retreated  up  the  hill  to  the  shelter  of 
thc^defenses  above. 

The  Casa  de  Mata  offered  a  more  obstinate  defense.  It 
proved  to  be  a  powerful  and  regular  intrenchment,  with  bas- 
tions and  deep  ditches.  Colonel  Scott,  Waite,  and  Mcintosh 
fell,  leading  their  columns  on  to  the  assault  under  a  perfect 
rain  of  balls.  The  terrific  fire  literally  mowed  away  the 
ranks,  and  the  loss  of  officers  caused  the  men  to  fall  back 
behind  Duncan's  battery,  which  had  been  called  to  the  field 
to  support  the  American  left.  The  Mexican  cavalry  held  in 
reserve,  in  the  woods,  deployed  to  the  right  of  the  intrench- 
ments  to  press  upon  the  repulsed  brigade,  but  Duncan's  blaz- 
ing guns  scattered  the  gay  uniforms  like  autumn-leaves  before 
the  sharp  blast.  Sumner's  dragoons  then  charged,  and  the 
enemy  flew  in  utter  discomfiture.  The  relentless  guns  of 
Duncan  then  turned  upon  the  intrenchments  and  soon  drove 
the  enemy  in  great  trepidation  up  the  hill.  This  gave  the 
fortress  to  the  gallant  men,  so  many  of  whose  comrades  lay 
stretched  in  death  upon  the  green  sward. 

This  ended  the  conflict  for  the  outworks,  which  were  found 
to  be  far  more  formidable  than  the  most  careful  reconnois- 
sance  of  the  engineers,  and  by  Generals  Scott  and  Worth,  in 
person,  had  been  able  to  detect — so  skillfully  had  their  lines 
been  masked  by  the  sagacious  Santa  Anna.*  The  victory 
cost  the  Americans  much  blood — nearly  one-fourth  of  Worth's 

♦  Colonel  Ramsey  states,  in  a  note  to  his  translation  of  the  Mexican 
History  of  the  War,  that  Santa  Anna  was  in  possession  of  Scott's  order  to 
carry  the  outworks  a  few  honrs  after  it  was  given,  and,  in  consequence, 
during  the  entire  7th  of  September,  he  was  preparing  for  the  defense.  We 
can  scarcely  credit  the  assumption,  i>articuiarly  as  Colonel  Ramsey  insin- 
uates that  Scott  was  informed  his  designs  were  known,  but  did  not  believe 
It,  and  did  not  strengthen  Worth's  forces.  The  insinuation  is  that  he 
Bent  the  men  into  useless  danger.  Brantz  Mayer  and  Colonel  Ripley  are 
of  opinion  tliat  the  assault,  before  battering  with  the  guns,  was  a  useless 
slaughter.  It  is  so  easy  to  plan  a  conflict  after  it  is  fought !  Had  the 
American  commander  surmised  half  the  strength  of  the  enemy's  works, 
he  would,  of  course,  have  ordered  their  battery  before  assault. 


100 


THE   LIFE   OP   WINFIELD    SCOTT. 


^^,  i 


entire  corps  being"  eitlier  killed  or  wounded !  Out  of  187 
officers  58  were  killed  or  disabled.  This  list  included  some 
of  the  choicest  spirits  in  that  army  of  brilliant  men.  The 
Mexicans  equally  suffered.  Leon,  Mateos,  Huertd,  Baldcros, 
were  killed,  together  \\uth  others  of  their  best  leaders,  while 
52  commissioned  officers  and  800  men  were  made  prisoners. 

Casa  de  Mata  was  blown  up.     "  The  mill"  and  its  machin- 
ery were  so  far  destroyed  as  to  render  the  works  useless.     All 
the  arms,  munitions  and  provisions  captured  were  borne  to 
the  American  depot  at  Tacubaya.     The  ground  was  then  left 
unoccupied,  preparatory  to  the  assault  on  the  height,  upon 
which,  the  Mexicans  were  centering   their   entire  resources, 
under  command  of  the  indomitable  Bravo.     Why  did  Scott 
leave    these   dearly-won    defenses   open,   and   why   did   he 
not  proceed  immediately  to  attack  the   Castle  ?  the  reader 
asks.     It  was  the  delay  ot   good  gene/alship  and  strategy. 
The  army  must  enter  the  city  by  the  two  western  gates  of 
Belen  and  San  Cosmo.     If  Chapultepec  was  taken,  it  would 
allow  the  concentration  of  the  strength  of  the  entire  Mex- 
ican a-  my  and  people  at  those  points,  and  render  the  entrance 
one  of  extreme  hazard  to  Scott's  now  greatly  reduced  .  force, 
for  illness  (dysentery)  had  been  at  work  among  his  men  as 
well  as  the  enemy's  balls.     He  therefore  proposed  io  feint  an 
attempt  upon  the  southern  gates  of  the  city,  and,  by  apparently 
abandoning  the  conquered  positions  at  the  foot  of  the  hill, 
make  it  appear  that  he  was  not  going  to  assault  it.     This 
would  give  the  Mexicans  time  to  concentrate  their  best  forces 
at  other  points,  when  Scott  would  suddenly  turn  and  precipi- 
tate his  whole  strength  upon  the  Castle,  carry  il,  and,  by  a 
hurried  movement  on  the  two  western  gates,  secure  them  and 
their  fine  defenses  before  the  enemy  could  recover  from  their 
surprise  to  act  with  concert  and  efficiency.     It  was  a  most 
able  and  admirably  conceived  plan,  and,  as  the  result  proved, 
was   the    secret   of    Scott's    final    success.      A   repulse   at 
Chapultepec  would  have  annihilated  his  army : — a  victory 
would  give  him  the  city. 

Santa  Anna  had  the  bells  of  the  city  rung  in  honor  of  his 
victory  at  the  outworks  !  Nero  fiddling  over  the  conflagra- 
tion of  Rome  offers  a  parallel  for  that  merry  chime  from 
cathedral  towers. 


THE   STRATEGY. 


101 


CHAPTER     XVIII. 

THB  STBATEOT — ITS  SCCCKSS — CHAPULTEPEC — THE  BATTERIES  OPENED  ON 
IT — FALSE  MOVEMENTS  OP  TUK  TROOPS — SUDDEN  DESCENT  ON  THE  HILL, 
— THE  ASSAULT — TUB  VICTORV — THE  PURSUIT — QUITMAN  IN  THE  CITY. 

The  designs  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  hare  been  stated, 
viz. : — to  make  feints  on  tlie  soutliern  gates  of  the  city  until 
the  Mexican  commander  should  center  his  forces  in  that 
quarter,  then  to  make  a  sudden  descent  on  Chapultepec  and 
carry  it  by  bombardment  and  storm,  then  to  enter  the  city  by 
the  Belen  and  San  Cosmo  gates.  To  the  consummation  of 
this  sclieme  the  outworks  at  tlie  foot  of  the  hill,  won  by  so 
much  blood,  had  been  abandoned ;  the  various  divisions  were 
so  disposed  as  to  cover  the  real  movement,  yet  were  in  avail- 
able localities ;  the  best  guns  of  the  several  batteries  were 
drawn  o^t  before  the  heights ;  the  troops  were  drafted  to  their 
fullest  extent,  many  of  the  sfightly  wounded  leaving  the  hos- 
pitals for  places  in  the  ranks : — all  was  stir  and  preparation 
for  the  final  great  conflict,  yet  all  was  masked,  even  to  the 
comprehension  of  most  of  the  officers,  since  secrecy  was 
necessary  to  success. 

The  stronghold  to  be  carried  rose  from  the  plain  fully  one 
hundred  and  fifty  feet,  presenting  impassable  fronts  toward 
the  city,  and  on  the  north  and  south.  It  was  crowned  with 
an  edifice  called  "  the  Castle,"  in  its  outer  walls  measuring 
nine  hundred  feet  in  length — the  main  building,  including  the 
terre-plein,  measuring  six  hundred  feet.  The  whole  is  thus 
described  by  an  officer,  in  a  letter  to  the  Washington  Union : 

"  The  Castle  is  about  ten  feet  liigh,  and  the  whole  structure, 
including  the  wings,  bastions,  parapets,  redoubts  and  batteries, 
is  very  strongly  built^  and  of  the  most  splendid  architecture. 
A  splendid  dome  decorates  the  top,  rising  in  great  majesty 
about  twenty  feet  above  the  whole  truly  grand  and  magnificent 
pile,  and  near  which  is  the  front  center,  supported  by  a  stone 
arch,  upon  which  is  painted  the  coat-of-arms  of  the  republic, 
where  once  floated  the  tri-colored  banner,  but  is  now  decorated 
by  the  glorious  stars  and  stripes  of  our  own  happy  Irnd.  Two 
very  strongly  built  stone  walls  surround  the  whole ;  and  at  the 
west  end,  where  we  stormed  the  works,  the  outer  walls  are 
Bome  ten  feet  apart,  and  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  high,  over  which 


li 


"V 


toa 


THE   LIFE   OF    WINVIELD   SCOTT. 


if  A 

'I 


I 


we  charged  by  the  help  of  fascines.  It  was  defended  by  heavy 
artillery,  manned  by  the  most  learned  and  skillful  gunners  of 
their  army,  including  some  French  artillerists  of  distinction. 
The  infantry  force  consisted  of  the  officers  and  students  of  the 
institution,  and  the  national  guards,  and  chosen  men  of  war  of 
the  republic— the  whole  under  the  command  of  General  Bravo, 
whom  we  made  prisoner.  The  whole  hill  is  spotted  with  forts 
and  outposts,  and  stone  and  mud  walls,  which  were  filled  with 
their  picket  or  Castle-guard.  A  huge,  high  stone  wall  extends 
around  the  whole  frowning  craggy  mount,  and  another  alont^ 
the  south-east  base,  midway  from  the  former  and  the  Castle.  A 
well-paved  road  leads  up  in  a  triangular  form  to  the  main  gate, 
entermg  the  south  terre-plein ;  and  the  whole  works  are  ingc- 
niousljr  and  beautifully  ornamented  with  Spanish  fastidiousness 
and  skill." 

Of  the  approaches  to  the  city  Scott  in  his  Ofl3cial  Report 
says: — 

"  The  city  of  Mexico  stands  on  a  slight  swell  of  ground,  near 
the  center  of  an  irregular  basin,  and  is  girdled  with  a  ditch  in 
its  greater  extent — a  navigable  canal  of  great  breadth  and  depth 
— very  difficult  to  bridge  in  the  presence  of  an  enemy,  and  serv- 
ing at  once  for  drainage,  custom-house  purposes,  and  military 
defense ;  leaving  eight  entrances  or  gates,  over  arches,  each  of 
which  we  found  defended  by  a  system  of  strong  works,  that 
seemed  to  require  nothing  but  some  men  and  guns  to  be 
impregnable." 

On  the  night  of  September  11th  four  heavy  batteries  were 
mounted,  under  direction  of  the  engineers,  Huger  and  Lee,  on 
a  ridge  between  Tacubaya  and  the  height — in  charge,  respect- 
ively, of  Captains  Drum,  Hr.gner,  Brooks  and  Lieutenant 
Stone — which  opened  fire  on  the  morning  of  the  12th.  All 
day  the  cannonade  was  kept  up.  Bombs  with  hissing  fuses 
flew  in  magnificent  arches  through  the  air,  and  dropped,  to 
burst  with  terrific  violence,  within  the  inclosure  above.  The 
great  balls  leaped  from  the  guns,  and  went  careering  overhead 
like  dark  meteors,  to  tear  and  crash  through  the  ram- 
parts and  walls  with  all  the  awful  havoc  of  an  earthquake. 
The  n^eu  only  rested  at  their  guns  when  darkness  descended 
oypr  all  with  Its  protecting  shadows. 

Previous  to  this  bombardment,  the  troops  had  made  im- 
posing demonstrations  before  the  southern  gates  of  the  city. 
During  the  day  (11th)  Scott  surveyed  the  gatps  yery  closely, 
Rising  as  a  covering  party  Pillow's  entire  diylsipn  and  Ooloj^pJ 


^fi*Sf!f. 


TJJE  ASSAULT   ON    CUArULTEI'EC.  103 

Riley's  brigntlc.  lie  then  ordered  Quitman,  with  his  entire 
division,  forward  from  Coyoacan  to  join  Pillow,  in  tho  day- 
time,  before  the  southern  gates.  These  admirable  feints  pro- 
duced the  desired  effect  of  convincing  the  Mexican  General 
that  the  southern  garitas  (gates)  would  be  forced  for  entrance 
to  the  capital.  At  nighty  however,  the  divisions  of  both  Pillow 
and  Quitman  passed  from  before  the  southern  gates  to 
Tacubaya,  where  they  were  united  to  Worth's  troops.  Gen- 
eral Smith's  brigade  was  at  San  Angel.  Twiggs  was  left  with 
Riley's  troops  and  Captain  Taylor's  artillery,  before  the  San 
Antonio  exit  to  continue  the  game  of  deception  by  maneuvers 
and  false  attacks.  This  was  continued  to  the  afternoon  of 
the  13th  so  successfully  that  the  enemy  did  not  suspect  the 
decoy  set  for  them  until  they  learned  that,  instead  of  a 
bombardment,  the  entire  army,  except  the  troops  deploying 
before  the  gates,  was  assaulting  Chapultepec  ! 

At  half-past  five,  on  the  morning  of  the  13th,  the  guns  opened 
again  on  the  Castle.  This  was  continued  np  to  eight  o'clock, 
when  several  breaches  were  made.  At  a  signal  the  aosault 
began.  The  divisions  of  Pillow  and  Quitman  were  detailed 
for  the  honorable  service,  while  Worth's  division,  turning  the 
hill,  gained  the  north  side  to  assist  in  the  assault  as  circum- 
stances might  require,  by  resisting  reinforcements  from  the 
city  and  by  cutting  off  the  enemy's  retreat.  Pillow's  troops 
rushed  forward  from  the  now  silenced  Molino  del  Bey.  They 
pressed  ibrward  up  the  easy  ascent,  scaling  all  outworks,  and, 
in  a  brief  time,  planted  scaling  ladders  against  the  iuclosure 
walls.  One  loud  huzza  and  the  men  streamed  over — to  court 
victory  or  death. 

Quitman  was  given  the  south-eastern  approach.  Supported 
by  Shields  and  Smith,  he  pressed  up  the  declivity,  fortified  in 
the  most  effective  manner.  Battery  after  battery  was  scaled 
and  silenced,  when  Shields,  filing  to  the  left  with  his  gallant 
volunteers,  crossed  the  meadows  before  the  Castle  batteries, 
entered  the  outer  court,  and  was,  with  Pillow's  men,  in  at  the 
victory.  Quitman's  force,  delayed  by  the  inch-by-iuch  fight 
up  the  hill,  arrived  to  find  the  American  flag  floating  over 
the  Castle. 

What  a  shout  rent  the  air  from  those  ancient  halls — the 
veritable  "Halls  of  Montezuma,"  the  splendid  seat  of  the 


: .;  n 


104 


THE   LIFE    OP   WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


^j 


Spanish  viceroys !  It  rolled  over  the  valley,  as  if  the  sky 
was  peopled  with  men  and  their  voices  came  forth  from  the 
clouds — so  it  appeared  to  those  in  the  valley  below.  "Worth's 
men  caught  up  the  juhilante  and  re-echoed  it,  wildly  and  long. 

Mayer  states  that  "  the  onslaught  had  been  so  rapid  and 
resi'stless  that  the  Mexicans  stood  appalled  as  the  human  tide 
foaaied  aud  burst  over  their  battlements.  Men  who  had  been 
stationed  to  fire  the  mines  either  fled  or  were  shot  down. 
Officers  fell  at  their  posts,  and  the  brave  old  Bravo,  fighting 
to  the  last,  was  taken  prisoner  with  a  thousand  combatants." 
The  victory  was  entire  anJ  complete.  The  entire  hill  was  in 
possession  of  the  invaders,  and  the  Mexican  people,  from  their 
look-outs  in  the  eJty,  gave  up  all  as  lost. 

Santa  Anna  was  engaged  watching  Twiggs,  before  the 
garita  of  San  Antonio,  when  informed  of  the  sudden  move- 
ment on  the  Castle.  He  was  thunderstruck  and  mortified, 
seeing  the  ruse  so  artfully  and  successfully  practiced.  But, 
before  he  could  "fly  to  its  aid,  the  American  standard  was 
unfurled  from  the  ramparts  of  the  stronghold.  The  retreating 
men  from  the  batteries  on  the  hill,  and  many  from  the  Castle, 
dropped  down  the  steep  declivities,  under  cover  of  the  rocks 
and  bushes,  to  gain  the  causeways  and  meadows  below. 
There,  gathering  in  companies,  they  courageously*  strove  to 
cut  their  way  through  to  the  gates.  Santa  Anna's  fresh 
troops  poured  out  to  receive  them,  while  from  steeple?,  roofs 
and  outlying  intrenchments  both  troops  and  the  popii<ace  fired 
upon  the  pursuing  regiments  of  "Worth.  "Worth  seized  the 
highway  and  aqueduct  of  San  Cosmo,  while  Quitmsn.  hasten- 
ing from  the  heights,  proceeded  to  seize  tlie  Belen  entrance. 
Scott  had  followed  the  columns  closely,  and  wa*^,  in  the  Castle 
almost  at  the  shout  of  victory.  Mounting  the  battlements, 
glass  in  hand,  he  spanned  the  whole  magnificent  panorama 
below.  In  a  few  moments  lie  decided  upon  the  further  move- 
ments of  his  army. 

"Worth  pursued  the  enemy  to  the  very  gates  of  San  Cosmo, 
and  was  soon  engaged  in  a  terrific  combat.  Cadwallader's 
brigade,  with  heavy  howitzers,  preceded  by  pioneers,  soon 
breached  and  forced  the  outworks,  and  gained  commanding 
positions  to  open  his  batteries  on  the  city.  Only  the  garita 
of  San  Cosmo  now  stood  between  "'vVorth  and  the  Plaza  when 
night  came  on. 


ENTRANCE   TO   THE    CAPITAL. 


105 


'fore    tlie 
?n  movc- 
iiortified, 
?c].     But, 
iard  was 
retreating 
le  Castle, 
the  rocks 
's  below, 
strove  to 
a's  fresh 
•lc9,  roofs 
lace  fired 
;ized  tlie 
'•  hastcn- 
sntraiico. 
le  Castle 
lements, 
anorania 
er  movc- 

Cosmo, 
allader's 
rs,  soon 
nanding 
e  ffan'ta 
:a  wbea 


Quitman  was  ordered  by  Scott  to  maneuver  against  the 
Belen  garita,  in  order  thus  to  divert  the  enemy  from  concen- 
trating all  their  forces  on  Worth.  But,  his  men  could  not  be 
restrained.  Onward  they  pushed,  under  flank  and  direct  fires, 
over  tlieir  own  fast  falling  comrades — onward,  until  Belen 
was  carried  and  the  city  entered.  The  strong  Citadel  near, 
where  Santa  Anna  had  taken  refuge,  remained  unsilenced, 
liowever,  and  the  men  suffered  severely,  not  only  from  its 
tremendous  fire  but  also  from  musketry  poured  in  from 
housetops  and  windows  around.  The  indomitable  leader 
resolved  to  hold  his  ground : — 7ns  men  were  the  first  to  enter 
the  fated  capital,  and  they  should  retain  their  prize  and  honors. 
He  therefore  threw  up  strong  protecting  defenses,  and  awaited 
tlie  coming  of  morning  to  push  forward  to  the  Great  Square, 
or  to  take  such  other  steps  as  the  General-in-Chief  should 
direct. 

Thus  closed  the  fortunes  of  that  most  memorable  of  days  to 
the  little  army.  Many  a  gallant  spirit  had  fallen  in  the  con- 
quest, but  the  joy  at  victory  overshadowed  even  regrets  for 
the  brave  dead,  and  the  troops  fell  asleep  to  dream  of  the 
fabled  glories  of  tliat  fabled' city  of  kings. 


CHAPTER     XIX. 

ENTRANCE  TO  THE  CAPITAL — ITS  OCCUPATION — QUITMAN  OOVEENOR — 
PRESKttVATION  OK  OUDBK — EFKOUTS  TO  SKCURE  A  TREATY — MR.  TRIST 
RECALLED — TARRIES  TO  CONSUMMATE  THE  NEGOTIATIONS — SCOTT  SUS- 
PENDED FROM  COMMAND — RETURNS  HOME — H0N0U8  BESTOWED  UPON  HIM. 

A  COUNCIL  of  Mexican  commanders  was  held  in  the  Citadel 

• 

early  in  the  evening  of  the  13th,  to  take  action  in  the  extreme 
state  of  affairs.  Crimination  and  recrimination  followed. 
Santa  Anna  "  washed  his  hands  of  the  defeat,"  for  which 
other  Generals  ^vere  responsible  I  Generals  Carrera,  Perez, 
Lombardini  and  Alcosta  no  longer  relied  on  their  men,  for  they 
were  thoroughly  demoralized  by  defeat.  Nothing  therefore 
remained  but  to  evacuate  the  capital.  Lombardini  was  named 
Commander-in-Chief,  Perez  his  second,  to  whom  all  military 


106 


TIIE   LITE   OP   WINPIELD   SCOTT. 


authority  was  delegated.  At  nine  o'clock  Santa  Anna  took 
his  coach  and  drove  away  from  the  city  he  was  powerless  to 
save. 

On  the  morning  of  the  18th,  just  at  daybreak,  as  the  army 
w."s  in  motion  preparatory  to  entering  the  city,  a  deputatioa 
of  the  city  council  came  to  Scott,  informing  him  that  their 
troops  and  officers  had  all  fled  the  city,  and  demanding  of 
him  terms  of  honorable  capitulation  for  the  citizens,  tho 
church  and  the  city  authorities.  This  of  course  was  not 
granted.  The  Americans  were  masters  by  conquest  of  the 
city,  and  it  was  for  them  to  dictate  terms.  Quitman  and 
Worth  were  ordered  to  advance  upon  the  center  of  the  city ; 
to  guard  carefully  against  treachery,  to  occupy  commanding 
points,  and  to  avoid  unnecessary  injury  to  persons  and  pro- 
^perty.  Worth  was  halted  at  the  Alameda,  a  few  squares 
from  the  Plaza,  that  Quitman  should  have  the  honor  of  first 
entering  the  National  Palace,  as  he  was  the  first  to  pass  tlu^ 
barriers  on  the  city  limits.  His  division  therefore  entered  tho 
Great  Square ;  a  detachment  flew  over  it  to  the  building  and 
soon  unfurled  the  American  flag  and  the  regimental  colors  of 
the  Rifles  from  the  flag-staff  over  tlie  Palace  walls. 

At  nine  o'clock  Scott,  attended  by  his  full  staff,  entered  the 
Square.  As  he  passed  on  his  way  to  the  Palace  the  troops 
sent  up  a  shout  which  moved  him  to  tears  of  thankfulness. 
To  the  invincible  and  devoted  Yoltigcurs  he  responded : 
"  Brave  men,  my  heart  is  with  you !"  To  the  Rifles  he 
answered :  "  Brave  Rifles !  Veterans  !  you  have  been  bap- 
tized in  fire  and  blood  and  have  come  out  steel !"  "  Had  you 
seen  this,"  said  one  present,  "  you  would  have  felt,  with  me, 
that  such  ^ords  as  these  wiped  out  long  months  of  hardship 
and  suffering."  Napoleon — Wellington  never  witnessed  more 
devotion  displayed  by  their  men. 

The  General  passed  up  to  the  Palace,  dismounted,  and 
entered  the  renowned  building  to  write  his  first  orders  of 
occupation,  while  the  regimental  band  of  the  2d  dragoons 
discoursed  Yankee  Doodle  to  the  assembled  thousands.  Mexi- 
cans mingled  with  the  soldiers,  eager  to  see,  and,  many 
of  them,  to  annoy.  Lepers  and  vagrants  congregated  in 
great  numbers,  and  so  pestered  the  troops  that  Scott  ordered 
the  dragoons  to  clear  the  Square  of  their  presence.     This  was 


THE   HOUSE-TOP   ATTACK. 


107 


nna  took 
rerless  to 

the  army 
epiitatiou 
that  their 
nding  of 
zens,  tho 
"Was  not 
St  of  the 
man  and 
the  city; 
imanding 
and  pro- 
squares 
>r  of  first 
5  pass  tlu^ 
itered  the 
Iding  and 
colors  of 

ntered  the 
^he  troops 
nkfulness. 
isponded : 
Hifles  he 
)een  bap- 
'  Had  you 
with  me, 
hardship 
5sed  more 

ited,  and 
)rders  of 
dragoons 
I.  Mexi- 
id,  many 
gated  in 
t  ordered 
This  was 


done  without  injury  to  them;  but  it  gave  pretext  for  the 
"house-top  war"  which  followed, — if  pretext,  indeed,  were 
wanted.  The  night  previous  over  1,000  convicts  liad  been 
turned  loose  from  the  prisons.  Those  terrors  of  society, 
uniting  with  the  few  companies  of  desperate  soldiers  remain- 
ing, and  with  the  vagrants,  made  an  attack  upon  the  troops, 
from  house-roofs  and  windows.  Soon  the  citizens  seemed  to 
join  in  the  murderous  warfare,  and  numbers  of  the  brave 
troops  and  their  officers  fell  before  the  covert  shot,  during  the 
day  (the  14th).  Finally  the  divisions  of  Twiggs  and  "Worth 
were  boldly  assaulted  by  the  populace,  when  Scott  ordered 
batteries  to  sweep  the  streets,  and  the  Rifles  to  pick  olT  every 
man  seen  on  the  house-tops.  This  drove  the  infuriated 
crowd  into  the  strong  buildings,  from  which  they  continued 
their  firin^T.  Scott  then  sent  word  to  the  municipal  author- 
ities that  he  should  blow  up  every  structure,  were  it  church, 
convent  or  residence,  from  which  the  populace  should  seek  to 
assassinate  his  men.  This  ended  the  assassins'  work,  and 
soon  the  city  assumed  its  wonted  air  of  quiet. 

On  the  IGth  he  issued  an  order  for  thanks  to  Divine 
Providence  for  their  recent  victories  : — "  The  General-in-Chief 
calls  upon  his  brethern  in  arms  to  return,  both  in  public 
and  private  worship,  thanks  and  gratitude  to  God  for  the 
signal  triumphs  which  they  have  recently  achieved  for  their 
country." 

Orders  were  issued,  immediately,  forbidding  any  outrage 
upon  public  or  private  ])roperty,  and  holding  his  entire  army 
under  the  severest  discipline  in  regard  to  its  conduct  toward 
the  people  of  the  city.  No  conquered  capital  ever  fared  so 
generously  at  the  hands  of  its  conqueror.  In  a  decree,  dated 
September  24th,  he  said  : 

"  Here,  as  in  all  Roman  Catholic  countries,  there  are  frequent 
religious  processions  in  the  streets,  as  well  as  in  churches,  such 
as  tlie  elevation  of  the  Host,  the  naticum^  funerals,  etc.  The 
interruption  of  such  jirocessions  has  already  been  prohibited  in 
orders ;  and,  as  no  civilized  person  will  ever  wantonly  do  any 
act  to  huru  the  religious  feelings  of  others,  it  is  earnestly 
requested  of  all  Protestant  Americans  either  to  keep  out  of  the 
way  or  to  pay  to  the  Catholic  religion  and  its  ceremonies  every 
decent  mark  of  respect  and  deference." 

This  edict  breathes  the  Christian  spirit  in  which  Mexico 


'«( 


108 


THE   LIFE   OP    WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


Ill 


was  conquered  and  governed  while  in  possession  of  the  army 
of  Scott  * 

Martial  law  was  proclaimed  on  the  17th,  and  Quitman 
appointed  civil  and  military  Governor.  Orders  of  great 
stringency  were  issued  to  punish  crime,  to  guarantee  the 
Mexican  courts  in  the  exercise  of  their  usual  functions,  to 
protect  public,  church  and  private  property.  Scott  demanded, 
instead  of  a  munificent  ransom,  the  meager  sum  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  to  be  used  as  follows  :  ninety 
thousand  dollars  for  blankets,  shoes,  etc.,  for  distribution 
among  the  needy  troops ;  twenty  thousand  for  extra  comforts 
and  care  for  the  sick  and  wounded ;  forty  thousand  dollars 
for  the  military  chest. 

The  occupation  of  the  city  continued  until  May,  1848,  when 
the  treaty  negotiated  by  Mr.  Trist  was  ratified  by  commis- 
sioners specially  dispatched  from  Washington.  Scoll,  up  to 
January  of  that  year,  was  incessantly  laboring  with  the 
Mexican  Government  to  secure  the  treaty  desired.  All  the 
interval,  during  the  final  conquest  up  to  the  month  of  April— 
when  Santa  Anna  withdrew  in  disgrace  (forever  it  is  to  be 
hoped)  from  the  distracted  country — the  war  was  prosecuted 
with  great  bitterness  by  guerrilla  parties,  and  bands  under 
the  Priest  Jaranta,  in  the  surrounding  States  and  along  the 
route  from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  capital.  New  troops  arrived 
under  Generals  Lane,  Patterson  and  others,  who  experienced 
sharp  service  in  hunting  down  the  formidable  and,  at  times, 
very  powerful  organizations  of  the  enemy.  The  final  occu- 
pation of  all  important  points  by  the  American  army,  the 
withdrawal  of  Santa  Anna,  and  the  strengthened  authority  of 
the  President,  Senor  Pena-y-Peiia,  restored  a  more  settled 
order  of  things,  leading  the  way  for  the  treaty  which  fol- 
lowed. 

The  history  of  Mr.  Polk's  administration  so  far  as  it  relates 

to  the  Mexican  question,  is  one  of  discredit.     Mr.  Trist,  for 

not  accomplishing  what  could  not  be  forced,  was  suspended 

from  his  functions  as  Commissioner,  and  he  was  recalled. 

*  Mr.  William  Jay,  in  his  work  already  rcforred  to,  is  very  severe  on 
Scott  for  the  tribute  he  levied  upon  the  city  and  provincea.  Had  that 
author  shown  as  much  of  the  spirit  of  a  Christian  as  of  evident  vlndic 
tiveness,  he  would  have  been  spared  bis  censures,  Scott  was  simply  obey, 
ing  orders  from  Washington  in  his  ''  levy,"  and  none  knew  it  better,  pro 
bably,  than  Mr.  Jay. 


SCOTT    SUSPENDED   FROM   COMMAin). 


100 


The  preliminaries  of  a  peace  had,  however,  been  determined 
upon,  and  he  consented  to  consummate  the  negotiations  even 
without  autliority.  Scott  co-operated  with  him ;  and,  by 
their  united  labors,  the  treaty  was  finally  signed  and  for- 
warded to  Washington  for  ratification.  Notwithstanding  the 
irregularity  of  the  proceedings,  the  instrument  was  ratified  by 
Congress,  with  very  slight  alteration  (March  10th).  Instead 
of  confiding  to  Mr.  Trist  the  final  consummation  of  the  mat- 
ter, to  which  his  great  prudence,  wisdom  and  popularity  vdth 
the  Mexican  authorities  had  greatly  contributed,  he  was  super- 
seded by  the  appointment  of  United  States  Senator  Sevier  and 
Attorney-General  CliiFord,  who  both  resigned  their  positions 
in  order  to  bear  the  treaty  (and  the  heavy  money  indemnity 
stipulated),  back  to  Mexico,  and  to  secure  its  adoption.  As 
if  Mr.  Trist  was  not  equal  to  such  a  service  !  The  ratification 
took  place  May  80th,  after  which  the  American  troops  evacu- 
ated the  country,  leaving,  after  all  their  warfare,  very  agree- 
able memories  behind  them.  Vast  numbers  of  Mexican 
people  of  all  classes,  grew  to  believe  that  a  better  order  of 
things  would  prevail  in  their  country  if  the  Americans  should 
remain  permanently  in  the  occupation.  Scott,  it  is  reported, 
had  overtures  from  many  of  the  leading  men  of  the  State,  to 
accept  a  permanent  Presidency. 

In  the  mean  time  the  Administration  found  it  advisable,  in 
the  exercise  of  its  authority,  to  suspend  Scott  from  his  com- 
mand. Generals  Pillow  and  "Worth  had  preferred  charges 
against  the  Commander-in-Chief,  involving  really  very  trifling 
points  of  etiquette  rather  than  sins  of  commission,  and  the 
Administration  hastened  to  arraign  Scott  before  —  whom? 
Before  a  tribunal  composed  of  a  Paymaster-General,  a  Briga- 
dier of  volunteers,  and  a  Colonel  of  dragoons,  who  were  to 
inquire  into  the  conduct  of  their  superior  !  Did  the  w^orld 
ever  before  behold  such  an  ungenerous  betrayal  of  personal 
and  partisan  Mpite  ? 

Scott,  in  truth,  after  the  conquest,  had  become  so  immensely 
popular  that  the  Admmistration  doubtless  felt  it  necessary  to 
force  from  him  his  honors — to  disgrace  him  in  some  way,  and 
thus  place  him  out  of  the  category  of  Presidential  opponents 
for  the  next  campaign.  No  other  solution  has  ever  been 
offered  to  the  proceedings.     The  "court"  mvt  in  Mexico— 


1' 


no 


THE   LIFE   OP   WINPIELD   SCOTT. 


^\i 


u 


then  adjourned  to  meet  in  Washington  where  the  "  inquiry," 
becoming  so  utterly  odious  to  the  entire  nation,  was  suffered 
to  pass  into  oblivion — a  mass  of  testimony  being  reported 
which  few  indeed  have  ever  felt  the  curiosity  to  explore. 

This  order  of  suspension  came  a  few  days  after  the  treaty 
had  been  dispatched  to  Washington.  He  had  been  permitted 
thus  to  contribute  to  the  final  crowning  act  of  the  campaign, 
to  add  the  crown  to  his  reputation  for  legal  acumen  and 
ministerial  wisdom,  as  the  conquest,  by  arms,  had  added  the 
crown  to  his  military  renown.  He  immediately  passed  over 
to  General  Butler  the  chief  command,  and^attended  upon  the 
"  court  of  inquiry "  during  its  sessions  in  the  capital.  When 
it  adjourned  to  meet  in  Washington,  he  started  to  return 
home,  without  retinue,  without  honors : — a  conqueror,  lie 
was,  literally,  returning  home  in  disgrace.  .  The  country  was 
shocked  and  humiliated  at  the  occurrence.  He  arrived  at 
Elizabethport,  New  Jersey,  in  a  private  vessel.  May  20th,  and 
retired  to  his  family  residence  at  Elizabethtown.  Various 
leading  cities  of  the  country  hastened  to  tender  him  receptions, 
which  he  declined,  urging  that  he  could  receive  no  honors  so 
long  as  he  was  under  the  displeasure  of  the  Executive.  The 
city  of  New  York,  however,  would  not  permit  such  a  banish- 
ment. On  the  22d  a  Committee  of  tlie  Common  Council 
visited  his  private  residence.  They  sought  his  consent  to  a 
popular  ovation  as  a  recognition  not  more  of  his  services  than 
of  the  sentiments  with  which  the  public  regarded  the  circum- 
stances under  which  he  had  returned.'  Scott,  feeVing  that  to 
deny  such  a  request  would  greatly  injure  the  feelings  of  his 
friends,  consented  to  the  reception,  which  was  arranged  to 
take  place  on  the  25th  of  May. 

It  proved  to  be  one  of  the  most  imposing  demonstrations 
that  had  taken  place  for  years  in  the  great  metropolis.  The 
city  streets  were  densely  crowded— over  200,000  people  being 
present  on  the  line  of  march.  Buildings  were  gayly  decorated, 
mottoes  were  suspended  from  the  walls  and  over  the  streets, 
flags  were  flying  upon  all  public  buildings  and  from  the  ship- 
ping. Amid  the  thunder  of  artillery  he  landed  at  Castle 
Garden,  in  charge  of  the  Committee.  The  addresses  on  the 
occasion  are  worthy  of  repetition,  as  showing  the  actual  feel- 
ing of  the  country  toward  Scott,  and  his  own  sentiments. 


niS   RECEPTION   IN   NEW   YORK. 


Ill 


Being  received  from  the  Committee  of  Elizabellitown,  Mr. 
Morris  Franldin,  President  of  tlie  Board  of  Aldermen  of  New 
York  city,  welcomed  the  old  soldier  in  terms  of  congratulation 
at  his  safe  return.     He  added  : 

"In  contemplating  upon  the  thrilling  events  which  have 
characterized  your  history,  we  find  so  much  to  excite  our 
admiration,  and  to  call  into  action  the  patriotic  emotions  of  the 
heart,  that  we  feel  proud,  as  American  citizens,  that  among 
the  many  illustrious  names  which  now  are,  or  may  hereafter 
he  emblazoned  upon  the  escutcheons  of  our  country,  yours  will 
appear  in  bold  relief,  as  among  her  noblest  and  most  honored 
sons;  for  whether  upon  the  plains  of  Chippewa,  or  Lundy's 
Lane — whether  at  the  soriie  of  Fort  Erie,  or  on  the  heights 
of  Queenstown — whether  landing  on  the  shores  of  Vera  Cruz, 
or  bravely  contending  at  the  pass  of  Cerro  Gordo — whether 
entering  in  triumph  the  capital  of  Mexico,  and  there  planting 
the  American  standard  upon  its  battlements — whether  in  the 
warrior's  tent,  at  the  solemn  hour  of  midnight,  arranging  the 
operations  of  the  coming  day,  while  your  faithful  soldiers  were 
slumbering  around  you,  dreaming  of  their  friends  and  their 
homes — or  whether  attending  upon  the  wounded,  the  dying, 
and  the  dead,  regardless  of  yourself  in  your  anxiety  for  others 
— we  find  all  those  characteristics  which  mark  the  true  dignity 
of  man,  and  bespeak  the  accomplished  and  victorious  chieftain. 

"  Under  circumstances  such  as  these,  and  fresh  from  the  well- 
fought  battle-fields  of  our  country,  we  now  welcome  j'ou  within 
our  midst,  as  one  worthy  to  receive  and  forever  wear  that  vic- 
torious wreath  which  the  American  people  have  entwined  to 
decorate  and  adorn  your  brow ;  and  we  can  not  omit,  upon  this 
occasion,  to  bear  our  testimony  to  the  valor,  bravery,  and  skill 
displaced  by  that  noble  band  of  our  adopted  fellow-citizens, 
who,  side  by  side  with  the  natives  of  our  soil,  stood  bravely  by 
the  common  standard  of  our  country,  or  fell  nobly  struggling 
in  its  defense.  Teace  be  to  the  ashes  of  those  who  thus  sacri- 
ficed their  lives,  for  they  died  as  brave  men  love  to  die — fight- 
ing the  battles  of  their  country,  and  expiring  in  the  very  arms 
of  victory." 

Scott's  reply  was  felicitous  and  full  of  feeling.  He  said, 
among  other  things : 

"  If  I  had  looked  to  considerations  merely  personal,  I  should 
have  declined  the  high  distinction  tendered  me ;  but  I  knew  I 
was  to  be  received  by  you  as  the  representative  of  that  victo- 
rious army  it  was  so  lately  my  good  fortune  to  command — an 
army  that  has  carried  the  glory  of  American  arms  to  a  height 
that  has  won  universal  admiration,  and  the  gratitude  of  all 
hearts  at  home. 


112 


THE   LIFE    OP   WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


"  A  very  large  portion  of  the  rank  and  file  of  that  army,  reg- 
ulars and  volunteers,  went  forth  from  the  city  of  New  York,  to 
conquer  or  to  die.  It  was  my  happy  lot  to  witness  tlieir 
invincible  valor  and  prowess.  All  dangers,  difficulties  and 
hardships  were  met  and  conquered. 

"  You  have  been  pleased,  sir,  to  allude  to  our  adopted  citi- 
zens. I  can  say  that  the  Irish,  the  Germans,  the  Swiss,  the 
French,  the  Britons,  and  other  adopted  citizens,  fought  in  the 
same  ranks,  under  the  same  colors,  side  by  side  with  tiie  native- 
born  Americans — exhibiting  like  courage  and  efficiency,  and 
uniting  at  every  victory  in  the  same  enthusiastic  shouts  in 
honor  of  our  flag  and  country.  From  Vera  Cruz  to  the  capital 
of  Mexico,  there  was  one  generous  rivalr^r  in  heroic  daring 
and  brilliant  achievement.  Let  those  who  witnessed  that  career 
of  valor  and  patriotism  say,  if  they  can,  what  race,  according  to 
numbers,  contributed  most  to  the  general  success  and  glory  of 
the  campaign.  On  the  many  hard-fought  battle-fields  there 
was  no  room  for  invidious  distinction.  All  proved  themselves 
the  faithful  sons  of  our  beloved  country,  and  no  spectator  could 
fail  to  dismiss  any  lingering  prejudice  he  might  have  enter- 
tained as  to  the  comj  _rative  merits  of  Americans  by  birth  and 
Americans  by  adoption. 

"  As  the  honored  representative  of  all,  I  return  among  you  to 
bear  testimony  in  favor  of  my  fellow-brotlicrs  in  the  field,  the 
army  of  Mexico;  and  I  congratulate  you  and  tliem  that  the 
common  object  of  their  efforts,  and  of  your  hopes — the  restora- 
tion of  peace — is  in  all  probability  now  attained." 

"When  he  arrived  at  the  City  Hall  other  addresses  were 
made.     Scott,  in  his  replies,  took  occasion  to  advert  to  the 
subjects  of  peace  and  war,  as  relating  to  his  own  profession. 
The  sentiments  expressed  are  so  honorable  to  his  heart  that  • 
we  may  quote  them : 

"  Though  I  am  a  soldier,  and  therefore  supposed  to  be  fond 
of  fighting,  I  abhor  war,  except  when  prosecuted  in  the  defense 
of  our  country,  or  for  the  preservation  of  its  honor,  or  of  some 
great,  important,  nay,  cardinal  interest.  I  hold  war  to  be  a 
great  moral  evil.  It  must  be  for  good  and  substantial  reasons 
— for  no  forced  or  false  pretext,  however  plausibly  set  forth — 
that  war  can  be  warrantably  waged,  or  that  can  justify  one 
man  ift  shedding  the  blood  of  his  fellow-being.  The  interests 
of  New  York,  and  of  our  whole  country,  are  identified  with 
peace  and  with  every  duty  of  Christian  morality.  I  doubt  if 
there  be  any  member  of  that  respectable  body  of  our  fellow- 
citizens,  the  Friends^  who  is  a  more  zealous  advocate  for  peace. 
Unhappily,  too  much  of  my  life  has  been  spent  on  the  field  of 
battle.    Let  us,  then,  manitain  our  peace  by  all  honorable 


IS   PRESENTED    WITH   A   SILVER   MEDAL. 


ILI 


'tedciti- 
tviss,  the 
it  in  the 
|e  native- 
icy,  and 
hoiits  in 
|e  capital 
daring 
at  career 
)rding  to 
glory  of 
ds  tliere 
emselves 
or  could 
re  enter- 
>irtli  and 

g  you  to 
field,  the 
that  the 
!  restora- 


ies  were 
;  to  the 
ofession. 
art  that- 

be  fond 
defense 
of  some 
t£)  be  a 
reasons 
forth— 
ify  one 
nterests 
!d  with 
onbt  if 
fellow- 
•  peace, 
field  of 
tiorable 


efforts — by  such  efforts  as  Washington,  the  Father  of  our 
Countrj,  made,  to  establish  and  preserve  a  system  of  equal  and 
impartial  neutrality — a  system  which  some  of  his  most  distin- 
guished successors,  even  to  a  recent  period,  have  commended, 
with  the  entire  approbation  of  the  American  people.  And  now, 
Mr.  Chairman,  in  offering  again  my  thanks  to  your  Common 
Council,  and  to  the  inhabitants  of  your  city,  which  have  made 
an  old  soldier's  heart  to  throb  with  gratitude,  and  caused  him 
to  forget  all  his  toils,  all  his  hardships,  all  his  suffering;  of  mind 
and  body,  I  desire  to  acknowledge  to  yourself  especially,  and 
to  the  gentlemen  of  both  Boards  who  compose  your  Committee, 
the  obligations  you  have  imposed  upon  me  by  your  kind  and 
gracious  attentions.  Thanks,  my  warmest  thanks,  I  return 
through  you  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  city." 

A  grand  review  of  troops  took  place — Major-General  Sand- 
ford  acting  as  commander.  All  the  best  regiments  of  the  city 
turned  out.  The  civic  procession  up  Broadway  comprised 
an  ex-President — the  Governor  and  Lieutenant-Governor  of 
the  State — several  United  States  Senators  and  Members  of  the 
House — State  Senators  and  Assemblymen — officers  of  the  anny 
and  navy — the  Mayor  and  Common  Council,  etc.,  etc.,  together 
with  an  immense  concourse  of  the  leading  men  of  the 
community. 

It  was  such  an  ovation  as  few  men  ever  received,  but 
one  eminently  due.  It  did  not  fail  to  warn  the  Adminis- 
tration of  the  set  of  the  current  of  popular  feeling — which 
few  political  partisans  dare  to  oppose.  The  occasion  was 
embraced  by  the  City  Council  to  present  the  General  with 
a  silver  medal,  specially  struck  in  commemoration  of  the 
^reat  victories  in  Mexico. 

Previous  to  this  (March,  1848)  Congress  passed  its  celebrated 
complimentary  resolves,  the  second  resolution  of  which  reads : 

"  That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
requested  to  cause  to  be  struck  a  gold  medal  with  devices  em- 
blematical of  the  series  of  brilliant  victories  achieved  by  the 
army,  and  presented  to  Major-General  Winfield  Scott,  as  a  tes- 
timony of  the  high  sense  entertained  by  Congress  of  his  valor, 
skill  and  judicious  conduct  in  the  memorable  campaign  of 
1847." 

A  very  pleasing  "request "  to  make  of  the  President ! 

Several  States  passed  complimentary  resolves,  which,  beau- 
tifully engrossed,  are  now  deposited  in  the  cabinet  of  treas- 
ures to  be  left  as  mementoes  of  the  consideration  of  his 


114 


THE   LIFE   OP   WINPIELD   SCOTT. 


countrymen.  The  Legislature  of  Louisiana  voted  a  sword, 
wliicli  was  presented  in  Washington,  in  July,  1848,  by  a 
committee  chosen  by  the  Governor  of  that  State.  A  very 
expressive  and  patriotic  letter  ft'om  the  Governor  (Johnson) 
accompanied  the  gift.  Many  public  societies  and  associations 
throughout  the  country  voted  addresses,  of  which,  for  a  long 
time  after  his  return,  the  General  was  the  recipient.  They 
were  not  less  gratifying  than  the  official  resolves  of  legislatures. 


CHAPTER     XX. 

FOUNDS  ARMY  ASYLUMS — IS  NOMINATED  BY  TUB  WHIG  NATIONAL  STATE  CON- 
VENTION A3  ITS  CANDIDATE  FOR  THE  PRESIDENCY — THE  CAMPAIGN'S 
RESULT— 13  MADE  LIBUTKNANT-GKNEUAL — GOES  TO  VANCOUVER'S  ISLAND 
TO  SETTLE  THE  BOUNDARY  DIPPICULTy— HIS  POSITION  IN  THE  SECESSION 
REVOLUTION — THE  COUNTRY'S  HOPE. 

The  Executive  was  powerless  before  such  enthusiasm  as 
the  people  and  press  of  the  country,  generally,  betrayed  after 
Scott's  return.  It  wisely  allowed  its  "  inquiry  "  to  go  silently 
by  defiiult ;  but,  it  was  a  long  time  before  the  War  Depart- 
ment could  consent  to  summon  the  General  to  duty  at 
WasUington.  He  remained  at  his  old  head-quarters  in  New 
York  city,  for  some  time  after  his  return,  issuing  all  his  orders 
from  it,  instead  of  from  Washington.  He  was,  at  length, 
called  to  the  head  of  the  Army  Bureau  at  the  capital,  and 
immediately  repaired  thither,  to  give  the  Department  his 
special  oversight — an  oversight  which  it  greatly  needed. 

Nothing  occurred  to  break  the  usual  routine  of  business 
until  the  session  of  Congress  for  1850-51,  when  an  act  was 
passed  to  found  Military  j^sylums.  This  was  of  Scott's 
conception,  and  the  bill  creating  the  Asylums,  embodied  his 
long-cherished  plans.  When  in  Mexico  be  saw  the  great  need 
of  such  institutions  at  home,  to  which  he  might  send  the 
invalid  and  disabled  soldier.  To  create  such  a  benevolent 
refuge  for  those  worn  out  in  the  service  of  the  country  he  ap- 
propriated one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  specially  saved  in  Mex- 
ico to  the  military  chest.  That  amount  was  placed  in  the  Bank 
of  America,  New  York  city,  to  the  credit  of  Army  Asylum^  by 


NOMINATED   FOR   THE   PRESIDENCY. 


115 


sword,     I     draft  from  Mexico  in  January,  1818.     Oilier  sums  were  also 
l>y  a     I     added  to  the  fund  from  the  same  source,  as  occasion'would 
very     I     permit.     But  no  Army  Asylums  were  in  existence,  and  not 
hnsoii)      H     until   Scott  brought  the  matter  specially  before  Congress,  at 
:iationa      m     two  successive    sessions,  did    ho    succeed    in    securing  the 
a  long      I     necessary  act.     It  was  passed,  Anally,  by  the  General's  wise 
They      I     intercession,  as  we  have  stated,  and  he  was  made  President 
atures.  of  tlie  Board  chosen  to  select  the  sites  for  the  several  build- 

ings ordered. 

In  the  discharge  of  this  duty  he  journeyed  over  the  Middle 
and  Western  States,  in  the  summer  of  1851.  The  presence 
of  the  old  hero  gave  occasion  for  hearty  outbursts  of  enthu- 
8ias:ii  along  his  routes  of  travel.  Everywhere  he  was  received 
with  the  utmost  cordiality  by  all  classes : — even  those  who 
had  been  influenced  against  him,  as  party  servants  of  a  power- 
ful press  devoted  to  the  work  of  the  Adminstration,  did  not 
fail  to  forget  their  politics  in  the  presence  of  the  war-worn 
servant  of  his  country.  In  almost  every  village  and  town 
volunteers  of  the  Mexican  campaign  came  forth  to  greet 
their  Commander-in-Chief,  and  many  were  the  pleasant 
reunions  which  transpired. 

The  several  Asylums  were  located  with  great  good  judg- 
ment. They  will  stand  as  not  among  the  least  monuments  of 
his  wisdom  and  humanity. 

In  January  of  this  year  (1851)  the  State  of  Virginia  pre- 
sented a  very  massive  and  elegantly  wrought  medal,  inscriJ)ed: 
"The  Commonwealth  of  Virginia  presents  this  medal  to  Major- 
General  Winfield  Scott  as  a  memorial  of  her  admiration  for  the 
great  and  distinguished  services  of  her  son,  while  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  the  American  armies  in  the  war  with  Mexico, 
1847."  The  presentation  was  made  in  Washington,  by  a 
committee  specially  appointed  by  the  Governor.  It  was  a 
noble  expression  of  the  esteem  with  which  Virginia  regarded 
'*  her  son."* 

The  popularity  of  General  Scott  rendered  it  evident  that, 
if  his  consent  could  be  obtained  his  name  would  come  before 

*  How  ought  that  State  to  blnsh  for  shame  that  some  of  Its  press,  under 
the  "  Secession"  excitement,  has  descended  to  the  most  foul  imprecation 
of  Scott  for  his  adherence  to  the  fla?  under  which  he  has  served  for  morg 
than  half  a  century  I  We  have  preserved  some  of  those  editorial  ebulU» 
tions  as  a  sad  evidence  of  the  caprices  and  want  in  dignity  of  American 
Jouruallsm.    Their  reproduction  m  '11  serve  to  amaze  another  generation, 


116 


THE   LIFE   OP   WTNFIELD   SCOTT. 


the  Whig  National  Convention  as  a  nominee  for  the  Presi- 
dency. Being  interrogated  by  his  friends  on  the  subject,  he 
consented  to  accept  the  nomination  if,  in  tho  opinion  of  the 
Convention,  he  should  prove  tho  most  available  candidate. 
He  was  nominated  and  became  the  standard-bearer  of  tho 
Wiiig  party,  in  the  canvass  of  1853. 

The  campaign  which  followed  was  marked  by  unusual  bit- 
terness and  personal  virulence.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say 
that  tlie  country  never  has  seen  a  canvass  conducted  with  less 
regard  to  courtesy  and  dignity.  Scott  was  made  the  embodi- 
ment of  tyranny  and  aristocracy — the  very  virtues  which  led 
his  columns  on  to  glory  in  Mexico  were  pronounced  vices — 
his  incapacity  for  the  high  office  was  proclaimed — all  by  an 
opposition  whose  standard-bearer  was  one  of  those  soldiers 
who  had  won  his  chief  title  to  consideration  by  a  brief  service 
under  Scott,  in  Mexico  I  "  The  masses  "  were  readily  deceived : 
the  "Whig  policy  became,  in  their  minds,  identified  with  aris- 
tocracy and  monoply :  a  protective  tariff  grew  daily  unpopular 
and  the  impossible  sub-treasury  became  popular.  Henry  Clay 
died  in  June,  "Webster  in  October,  and  the  party  thus  lost  its 
two  most  powerful  directors.  Scott,  himself  no  politician,  was 
badly  led  by  his  advisers  and  took  several  steps  which  good 
political  generalship  must  "Have  forbidden : — all  these  contrib- 
uted to  his  defeat.  Franklin  Pierce  wus  elected  by  a  hand- 
some majority.  "It  was,"  as  Scott  afterward  humorously 
observed,  "his  first  real  defeat — he  was  routed  horse,  foot, 
and  howitzers." 

This  defeat  Illustrates  the  singular  fact,  that  eminence  of 
service,  in  no  small  degree,  disqualifies  a  man  for  success  In  a 
popular  election.  Henry  Clay  and  "Webster  were  neither  of 
them  President  because  they  had  done  too  mu^h  —  Messrs. 
Polk  and  Pierce  were  Presidents  because  they  had  done  so  very 
little  1  It  Is  easier  to  elect  an  unknown  man  to  the  high  office 
than  one  well  known. 

Congress,  at  Its  first  session  after  the  election  of  Mr.  Pierce, 
acted  upon  the  scheme  hatched  in  Mr.  Polk's  Cabinet  by 
creating  a  Lieutenant-General,  and  Scott  was  made  the 
recipient  of  the  high  honor.  The  Intelligence  of  the  country 
applauded,  for  there  was  no  other  way  in  which  to  sig- 
nify its  recognition  of  bis  merits.     The  sum  of  twenty-flve 


THE    SECESSION    llEVOLUTION. 


117 


Presi- 
|ect,  he 

of  tho 
fclitlate. 

of  tho 

al  bit- 
to  say 
ith  less 
mbodi- 
ich  led 
vices — 
by  an 
soldiers 
service 
ceived : 
ith  aris- 
popular 
ry  Clay 
lost  its 
ian,  was 
ch  good 
contrib- 
%  hand- 
lorously 
se,  foot, 

ence  of 
less  in  a 
ither  of 
Messrs. 
1  so  very 
jh  oflace 

Pierce, 
•inet  by 
ide  the 
country 
to  sig- 
aty-flvo 


thousand  dollars  was  also  voted  as  "  back  pay,"  the  ofllco  to 
date  from  the  conquest  of  Mexico.  A  General  whose  victo- 
rious arms  and  ministerial  sagacity  gave  us  California  and 
New  Mexico,  merited  all  the  new  office  could  bring  of  honors 
or  money. 

Since  the  year  1853  the  General  has  continued  in  the  exer- 
cise of  his  duties  as  acting  head  of  the  army — scarcely  inter- 
mitting a  day,  in  the  performance  of  his  labors.  His  head- 
quarters, in  New  York  city,  is  a  model  of  system.  From 
thence  radiate  the  orders  which  move  the  whole  vast  machinerjr 
of  our  land  military  system.  Tlie  only  absence  worthy  of 
note  occurred  in  the  summer  of  1859  when  the  seizure,  by 
General  Harney,  of  an  island  in  Puget's  Sound  (Straits  of  Fuca) 
reopened  the  old  dispute  of  the  boundary  line  between  this 
country  and  Great  Britain.  Harney  found  the  British  in 
occupancy  of  territory  which  he  considered  on  the  American 
side  of  the  line,  and,  with  more  spirit  than  discretion,  drove 
them  from  it,  while  he  planted  his  troops  on  the  spot  to  keep 
the  British  Governor,  Douglas,  at  bay.  This  action  threat- 
ened trouble  quite  as  serious  as  the  Maine  boundary  emeutOy 
when  Scott  acted  as  pacificator.  He  w&s  again  appealed 
to  by  his  Government,  and,  notwithstanding  his  great  age,  was 
sent  to  that  distant  region  to  quiet  the  alarm  anjl  to  reconcile 
the  dispute.  He  went  and  successfully  settled  the  trouble.  The 
"  plucky  "  General  Harney  was  transferred  to  another  station. 
Everywhere  on  the  route,  the  Commander-in-Chief  was  wel- 
comed with  expressions  of  regard  by  the  people.  His  recep- 
tion in  San  Francisco  was  highly  creditable  to  the  patriotism 
and  gratitude  of  the  Califoruians,  who,  with  much  truth, 
regard  him  as  the  father  of  their  country. 

At  the  first  evidence  of  an  uprising  of  the  people  in  the 
cotton  growing  States,  against  the  authority  of  tlie  Federal 
Union,  Scott  was  at  his  post,  ready,  as  in  1832  to  enforce  tho 
Constitution  and  the  Laws.  His  experiences  during  the  for- 
mer suppression  of  Nullification  and  revolt  in  Charleston 
harbor,  rendered  him  the  man  for  the  hour.  It  is  but  express- 
ing the  generally  received  opinion,  to  say,  that,  had  his  wise 
counsels  prevailed,  our  beloved  country  never  would  have 
been  shaken  to  its  very  center  by  the  throes  of  revolution,  nor 
the  appalling  calamity  of  a  dismemberment  of  the  Union  have 


tl8 


THE   LIFE   OF   WINFIELD   SCOTT. 


been  impiiuent.  Mr.  Buchanan  was  not  General  Jackson. 
Eminent  in  many  things  he  hicked  constancy  and  courage — 
two  qualities  which,  in  times  of  danger,  are  of  more  avail 
than  a  thousand  other  virtues.  He  tampered  with  what  was 
plain,  palpable  treason.  He  vacillated  when  to  do  so  was 
crime  under  his  inauguratory  oath.  He  allowed  his  closet  to  be 
invaded  by  disunionists — his  treasury  to  be  robbed,  his  arsenals 
and  armories  to  be  plundered — his  flag  to  be  dishonored — his 
country's  prestige  to  be  abased.  Where  Scott,  like  Jackson, 
would  have  armed  for  successful  resistance — would  have  gib- 
beted for  example  —  would  have  invaded  for  peace  —  Mr. 
Buchanan  folded  his  hands  and  counted  the  hours  for  his 
term  of  office  to  expire  when  he  should  be  rid  both  of  his 
oath  and  his  responsibilities.  The  true  men  of  the  country 
stood  aghast  at  the  President's  unfitness  for  the  crisis,  for  all 
saw  that,  ere  his  term  expired,  the  revolutionists  would  suc- 
ceed in  plunging  not  one,  but  five  or  more  States  into  the 
wild  vortex  of  their  mad  schemes. 

Amid' all  this  excitement  and  painful  display  of  weakness 
on  the  part  of  the  President,  Scott  stood  firm,  ever  ready  to 
act  as  a  true  citizen  and  soldier.  The  country  looked  to  him 
in  hop'^,  feeling  that  all  would  be  safe  in  his  hands.  The 
army  began  tp  disintegrate — its  officers  to  "  resign"  and  take  up 
arms  against  thjeir  old  flag — the  forts  and  arsenals  were  given 
up,  one  after  another — the  Major-General  commanding  in  the 
Department  of  Texas,  with  infamous  betrayal  of  trust  and  un- 
paralleled efirontery,  contracted  to  deliver  his  garrisons,  arms 
and  loyal  men  to  those  who,  as  the  consideration  for  the  trans- 
fer, gave  the  promise  that  all  those  arms,  garrisons  and,  if 
possible,  the  men,  should  be  turned  against  the  country  which 
had  given  him  all  the  honor,  means  and  position  he  possessed. 
But,  not  all  these  things  served  to  dismay  the  patriotic  men 
of  the  East,  North  and  West  so  long  as  Winfield  Scott  was 
true  to  his  oath  and  his  flag. 

He  is  true !  His  faith  is  the  faith  of  our  fathers — his  de- 
votion is  that  of  our  fathers — his  constancy  is  that  of  our 
fathers.  May  he  be  spared  to  see  his  insulted  flag  planted 
over  every  fortress,  every  Government  building,  every  high- 
way from  the  Potomac  to  the  Rio  Grande  1        -  . 


ckson. 
rage — 
1  avail 
at  was 

0  was 
it  to  be 
rsenals 
id— his 
ickson, 
ve  gib- 
s—Mr. 
for  his 
.  of  his 
country 
,  for  all 
Id  suc- 
nto  the 

ealcness 
•eady  to 
[  to  him 
s.  The 
take  up 
re  given 
r  in  the 
and  un- 
ns,  arms 
iie  trans- 

1  and,  if 
ry  which 
ossessed. 
3tic  men 
cott  was 

—his  de- 
it  of  our 
r  planted 
ery  high- 


